Her house showed signs of a brutal attack – a massive amount of blood. A bloody trail led from inside the house to the driveway where her car was usually parked. The car was later found abandoned four miles away, with Herlinda’s blood in the trunk. The amount of blood suggested she didn’t survive.

Herlinda and Ulises had a difficult divorce. He initially got custody of their sons, claiming abuse, a claim Herlinda denied, saying she was a victim of abuse herself. She regained custody and the house shortly before vanishing. Ulises, who lived nearby and had weekend visits with the children, says he’s innocent and can account for his time. After Herlinda disappeared, he and the children moved to Puerto Rico.

Herlinda was a health inspector and Army reservist who served in Desert Storm. She was described as responsible and unlikely to disappear without a word. Police believe she was murdered in her home, possibly by more than one person, and that robbery wasn’t the motive. They have two unidentified suspects. Oddly, Herlinda had previously mentioned a premonition about her murder and body being buried in the desert. Her case remains unsolved.