Family of Homicide Victim Says They Were Never Notified of His Death
By: Monica Yantosh
Updated: September 25, 2012
Paul Ochoa's family reached out to KLBK about their frustrations over how they head about Ochoa's death.
"He has kids, he has a wife, he has a mother, he has us, I mean that's not right," said Nancy Ortega, Ochoa's sister.
She said she was never officially notified of his death on Friday. "We had to find out through other media, and we didn't know if it was him or not because of the name they gave," said Ortega.
Friday, Levelland Police responded to shots fired in the 300 block of Avenue M in Levelland. Ochoa was found dead in the street.
Levelland Police said they did speak with a next of kin on Friday and informed them of Ochoa's death. Ortega says this family member was not the closest relative that should have been informed.
Ortega believes it should have been Ochoa's wife or his mother to be notified.
"Up to now, nobody has come forward and talking to us, or talking to them," said Ortega.
Ochoa leaves behind a wife and two young children. "He was a great father for her two kids, so they're going to miss a lot when they grow up, so but he was a good person and he didn't deserve to be taken away like that," said Ortega.
Levalland's Chief of Police said he was sorry to hear of the family's loss and that they had to hear the news the way they did. He also offered them any help he could in their time of mourning.
The chief also said that an officer did speak with Ortega Friday, but Ortega said while that happened, the officer never confirmed Ochoa's death with her.
"He has kids, he has a wife, he has a mother, he has us, I mean that's not right," said Nancy Ortega, Ochoa's sister.
She said she was never officially notified of his death on Friday. "We had to find out through other media, and we didn't know if it was him or not because of the name they gave," said Ortega.
Friday, Levelland Police responded to shots fired in the 300 block of Avenue M in Levelland. Ochoa was found dead in the street.
Levelland Police said they did speak with a next of kin on Friday and informed them of Ochoa's death. Ortega says this family member was not the closest relative that should have been informed.
Ortega believes it should have been Ochoa's wife or his mother to be notified.
"Up to now, nobody has come forward and talking to us, or talking to them," said Ortega.
Ochoa leaves behind a wife and two young children. "He was a great father for her two kids, so they're going to miss a lot when they grow up, so but he was a good person and he didn't deserve to be taken away like that," said Ortega.
Levalland's Chief of Police said he was sorry to hear of the family's loss and that they had to hear the news the way they did. He also offered them any help he could in their time of mourning.
The chief also said that an officer did speak with Ortega Friday, but Ortega said while that happened, the officer never confirmed Ochoa's death with her.
