KUSA — It has been just over one year since a man walking his dog found Juan Mendez-Lopez severely beaten just off the Cherry Creek Trail, and the mortgage broker’s death remains unsolved.
“He’d do anything in the world for anyone and he deserves justice,” his sister Sela Mendez said. “We deserve answers.”
Mendez-Lopez was assaulted near South Monroe Street while he was walking home on the Cherry Creek Trail the night of Sept. 30, 2017, according to Det. Mike Martinez with the Denver Police Department. Mendez-Lopez and his cousin had parted ways leaving the Cherry Creek Grill earlier in the evening. The pair had been at bars in the area all afternoon, his family said.
After he was beaten, police believe that the 44-year-old spent the night in the elements. Mendez said her brother had scratches all over his body, was suffering from hypothermia and had severe head trauma.
Mendez-Lopez was rushed to Denver Health, and his sister said that she was told he likely wouldn’t survive, but still believed he would pull through. He died a few days later, on Oct. 3, 2017.
“I never once imagined we’d leave the hospital without him,” Mendez said.
Martinez could not provide many details about the case, citing the open nature of the investigation. At this point, no arrests have been made, and police and Mendez-Lopez’s family are hoping that someone will come forward with information that will crack the case.
PHOTOS: Remembering Juan Lopez Mendez
“Juan was such a good person,” Mendez said. “If it were him that had information on a case and it would help another family, he would absolutely do it.
“I would hope that someone would please have the heart to do it for us.”
Anonymous tips about Mendez-Lopez’s death can be sent to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP or by using the Crime Stoppers mobile app. All tipsters remain anonymous and are eligible for an award of up to $2,000.
The Metro Denver Crime Stoppers mobile app is immediately available as a free download on the App Store for Apple devices, on Google Play for Android devices and on the BlackBerry App World for select BlackBerry devices. To learn more about Crime Stoppers visit the website at metrodenvercrimestoppers.com.
Mendez-Lopez's family has set up a Facebook page regarding the search for suspects. You can find the page here: bit.ly/2Pa92ci
