A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the people responsible for the murder of Minnesota resident Francisco Alejandro Lopez-Gonzalez, whose body was found in northern Douglas County in February.Lopez-Gonzalez, 40, flew from his home in Brooklyn Park, Minn., to Reno to meet with an acquaintance, Manuel Acevedo, who is also known as “El Ranas,” for the purpose of collecting money owed, according to Sgt. Jim Halsey of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.Phone calls received by Lopez-Gonzalez’ friends and family confirm that he arrived in Reno on May 28, 2011. Lopez-Gonzalez was scheduled to return home the following day, but he never boarded his flight. Shortly thereafter, he was reported as a missing person by his family.On Feb. 22, skeletal remains were found buried in a shallow grave in a backcountry area of Douglas County. The remains were later identified as those of Francisco Alejandro Lopez-Gonzalez. An autopsy confirmed that Lopez-Gonzalez had been murdered.Manuel Acevedo, the person with whom Lopez-Gonzalez was scheduled to meet with in Reno, consented to an interview with detectives of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. During the interview, Acevedo stated he met with Lopez-Gonzalez in Reno, but he denied knowing where Lopez-Gonzalez went after their meeting.Acevedo further denied any involvement in or knowledge of the homicide of Lopez-Gonzalez.Two days after his interview with investigators, Acevedo, a U.S. citizen, fled to Mexico. Acevedo has since been seen in Tijuana, Mexico and surrounding areas.While Acevedo promised investigators via telephone to return to the United States for a second interview, but has not. Acevedo has now ceased contact with investigators.Acevedo’s wife, Alondra Acevedo also known as Alondra Martinez-Diaz, was initially cooperative with DCSO investigators; however she has recently moved from her residence in Reno, and discontinued her cellular telephone service.Both Manuel Acevedo and Alondra Acevedo have family in Reno and Carson City, as well as in Southern California and Mexico.Alondra was last seen driving a white, 1993 Honda sedan, with Nevada license plate No. 019XTJ. The vehicle is registered to her husband, Manuel Acevedo.Both Manuel Acevedo and Alondra Acevedo are wanted for additional questioning. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Manuel Acevedo or Alondra Acevedo, or any additional information, should call DCSO Investigator N. Chrzanowski at 775-782-9907.Douglas County Secret Witness is also offering a $10,000 reward. People wishing to remain anonymous may provide tips on the Douglas County Secret Witness line at: 775-78-CRIME, or 775-782-7463.
