What began as a pursuit of the American dream ended in tragedy on August 16th, 2004. Manuel was working construction jobs in Atlanta, GA, and Freeport, FL – until he was murdered and dumped along a dirt road in Freeport.
After 20 years of only questions and no answers… detectives finally got the tip they’d been waiting on. Add that to the latest advancements in DNA technology, and detectives feel confident they’re close to finally solving this case and giving Manuel’s wife and children the justice they’ve been seeking.
Courtesy of Walton County Sheriff’s Office. *Note: Manuel’s name is misspelled.
Episode Info
If you know anything about the murder of Manuel Mozqueda Ruiz in 2004, please call the Walton County Sheriff’s Office at 850-896-8111 or the Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850-863-8477.
To apply for a Cold Case Playing Card grant through Season of Justice, please visit www.seasonofjustice.org.
Photo of Manuel. Courtesy: Walton County Sheriff's Office.
Photo of Manuel. Courtesy: Walton County Sheriff's Office.
Crime scene photo of Magnolia Lodge Road, where Manuel was found. Courtesy: Walton County Sheriff's Office.
Crime scene photo of Magnolia Lodge Road, where Manuel was found. Courtesy: Walton County Sheriff's Office.
Partial photo of Manuel’s tombstone in Mexico. Courtesy: Walton County Sheriff's Office.
Photo from 2023 of where Manuel was found in 2004. Courtesy: audiochuck Reporter
Photo from 2023 of where Manuel was found in 2004. Courtesy: audiochuck Reporter
Episode Source Material
- My Panhandle / WMBB (Panama City, FL): COLD CASE: Unsolved murder began 15 years ago with Freeport discovery by Amber Spradley.
- The Washington Post: Prepaid Phone Cards: The FTC’s Consumer Checklist.
- U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services: Policing in New Immigrant Communities by Matthew Lysakowski, Albert Antony Pearsall III, and Jill Pope.