Emely Rachal Contreras

Emely Rachal Contreras was a bright and funny young woman who, at 20 years old, was joyfully embracing her role as a mother of three. Her family, including her father, Robert, remembers her as smart, well-liked, and deeply happy, especially after the recent birth of her daughter. She had two sons and a newborn girl who was just two months old. Her father recalled how she was always taking pictures of her baby and making plans for their future together. A Hispanic woman living in Houston, Texas, Emely's life was full of promise, centered on her beloved children.

That future was stolen on August 4, 2019. In a home on the 10000 block of Revelstoke Drive, Emely was shot and killed. Her 22-year-old boyfriend, Gerson Pena, was with her at the time and was also injured, suffering a gunshot wound to his arm. He told investigators from the Harris County Sheriff's Office that the shooting was a tragic accident. According to Pena, he and Emely had been fighting over a handgun when it accidentally discharged, firing the bullet that struck him in the arm and fatally wounded her in the head.

Emely's family never believed Pena's version of events. Her father, Robert, later stated that the family had long been concerned about Pena's violent nature and suspected he was abusive toward Emely. "The family members including myself had the feeling he did it because he was always violent," her father told reporters. The family's suspicions were bolstered by the subsequent police investigation.

Initially, Pena was treated as a victim in what was considered a double shooting. However, as the Harris County Sheriff's Office delved deeper, the narrative began to shift. Investigators processed the evidence, and lab results revealed the presence of gunshot residue on both of Gerson Pena's hands. This finding contradicted his story of a simple struggle over the weapon.

Three months later, in November 2019, the investigation culminated in a significant development. Prosecutors, armed with the forensic evidence and other findings, filed a murder charge against Gerson Pena in connection with Emely's death. A warrant was officially issued for his arrest. By the time the charges were announced, however, Pena had disappeared. Authorities declared him a fugitive from justice.

The news that Pena was wanted for murder brought a painful sense of validation to Emely's grieving family. Her father spoke of the daily pain of her absence and his desire to see the person responsible for her death taken off the streets. He remembered his daughter's bright future and the joy she found in her children, a joy that was brutally cut short.

As of the last public reports in November 2019, the investigation into Emely Contreras's homicide remained active, but with a critical challenge: the primary suspect was on the run. The Harris County Sheriff's Office asked for the public's help in locating Gerson Pena. To date, there have been no further public updates regarding his apprehension. The case stands unresolved, with a family still waiting for the day they can see justice served for the smart, funny, and loving young mother who was taken from them. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Gerson Pena is urged to contact the Harris County Sheriff's Office.