Jose Alejandro Perez

Status:

Open

Jurisdiction:

Tyler Police Department Smith County Sheriffs Office (TX)

Offense Location:

Tyler, Texas

Reward:

up to $1,000

via Tyler-Smith County Crime Stoppers

Not from STC, Conditions and restrictions apply

Summary:

Jose Alejandro 'Alex' Perez, 44, was a Tyler Junior College operational manager who disappeared from the Towne Oaks Apartments in Tyler, Texas on April 26, 2024. His remains were discovered on May 5, 2024, in a wooded area on an oil well service road between Troup and Whitehouse. His death was ruled a homicide caused by blunt force trauma and neck compression. The case remains unsolved with no suspects identified.

Vital Statistics

Circumstances of Offense:

Perez was last seen at approximately 9 p.m. on April 26 at the Towne Oaks Apartments off Old Bullard Road in Tyler, where his mother last saw him leaving to help a friend. Three days later, police found Perez's vehicle at the Autumn Glen Apartments off Hollytree Drive, about a mile-and-a-half from his last known location. On May 6, 2024, the Smith County Sheriff's Office received a call about human remains found in the 15400 block of FM 346 East. The remains were located on an oil well service road about 100 yards off FM 346. Deputies and Troup Police Department officers found the remains on Rufus Dews' property, who called 911 upon discovering the body. The sheriff's office said the remains were found in a ditch, which had been underwater.

Additional Details:

The remains were taken to the Southwest Institute of Forensic Sciences and on May 15, 2024, the Tyler Police Department identified the remains as Perez. A full autopsy released in July 2024 showed that Alex's death was caused by homicidal violence, including blunt force and neck compression. His body was found chopped, mangled and severely decomposed. According to investigators, his body was placed at the scene, and there was an attempt at covering it. Perez was his mother's sole provider, helping her with medical needs and treatment costs as she battled cancer. His family and friends are searching for answers with the help of a Facebook page called 'Justice for Alex.' There are no current suspects. Over a year later, police are still waiting on DNA results from the site and from Alex's car. Perez worked as an operational manager for continued education at Tyler Junior College.

Case Last Updated:

Jun 06, 2026