Used-car salesman Miguel "Mike" Carlos Aldecoa, a 49-year-old father of three, worked in midtown and lived in Oro Valley. Yet he ended up on the far west side, beyond Old Tucson Studios, shot to death Nov. 22, 2000.
Aldecoa's body was found in a dirt pullout on McCain Loop Road, about a quarter-mile west of the entrance to the Gilbert Ray Campground. Six days later his 1996 burgundy Chevrolet Cavalier was found in the parking lot of a Famous Sam's bar at North Silverbell and West Grant roads. He was last seen leaving his house at about 7:30 the evening before his body was discovered.
He had been employed at American Roadrunner Car Rental and Sales on East 22nd Street near South Craycroft Road, authorities said.
STATUS
Aldecoa's case is open, said Deputy Jason Ogan, a spokesman for the Pima County Sheriff's Department. Though investigators have no suspects, the results of DNA tests are pending.
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IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Mike Aldecoa was the second-youngest of four siblings, said his elder brother, John Aldecoa of Phoenix.
"We got along great. He always confided in me," John Aldecoa said. "He was always my little tail. He always followed me around."
Mike Aldecoa, who had served two tours in Vietnam, left behind three young children, and his family continues to grieve.
"My mom's gone - she died in 2005; she never really recovered from my brother's death, and my dad passed away a few years before that," John Aldecoa said.
ABOUT THE SERIES
The Star will feature some of the Tucson-area violent crimes that remain unsolved - sometimes many years later.
Anyone with information is urged to call 88-CRIME. Tips also can be submitted online at www.88crime.org; or by text message at 274637, then enter tip259 plus your text message.
Contact reporter Kimberly Matas at kmatas@azstarnet.com or at 573-4191 if you have been a victim of an unsolved crime or if you are related to a victim.
