Earl Gonzales was 51 and lived in Questa, New Mexico, with his nine-year-old daughter Clarissa when both were murdered on September 2, 1999. Gonzales was a Vietnam veteran and crew supervisor for the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps who had built a home overlooking Cabresto Canyon. His girlfriend discovered the scene after she could not reach them; both had been killed by gunshot and violent assault respectively.

Investigators found no signs of forced entry, which suggested either familiarity with the killer or unlocked doors. Days before the killings Earl reported his truck stolen; the vehicle was recovered and two local teenagers were charged in the theft. Rumors tied a possible confrontation over the stolen truck to the murders, but the teens were never charged in the homicides and no arrests have been announced.

The case is now with the New Mexico State Police Cold Case Homicide Unit and remains unsolved. If anyone has information about Earl, Clarissa, the stolen truck, or events in Questa around September 1999, please share what is known.