Human remains discovered in search for 6-year-old Noel Rodriguez-Alvarez in Everman, authorities say
Authorities announced Thursday that human remains have been found during a renewed search in Everman for 6-year-old Noel Rodriguez-Alvarez, who disappeared in 2022.
After announcing new evidence found in the search for Rodriguez-Alvarez on Wednesday night, authorities provided details about the findings during a news conference.
Everman Police Chief Al Brooks said the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office will do a complete forensic examination to determine the official identity of the remains found. He said this is the result of a years-long investigation, in which law enforcement "refused to give up on Noel."
"I am profoundly grateful to the assistance that we have received from the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office and the FBI. Their partnership in this has been invaluable," Brooks said.
Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells also spoke about the partnership to find justice in the case.
"We owe it to Noel, we owe it to our community...," Sorrells said. "We will not forget him. We will not stop working for justice for him."
Cindy Rodriguez Singh accused of murdering her son
Rodriguez-Alvarez was last accounted for in October 2022, but his family did not report him missing until March 2023.
His mother, Cindy Rodriguez Singh, was charged with capital murder in connection with his disappearance. She was recently ruled incompetent to stand trial in her son's murder and is awaiting to be transferred to a state hospital.
Investigators pursued leads from tips over the years. They never found his body, even after searching the property where the boy lived with his family and despite the fact that cadaver dogs indicated dirt in the backyard had the scent of human remains.
Renewed FBI search in the case
On Tuesday, CBS News Texas learned that the FBI, along with the DA's Office, were once again at the property where the family lived. They could be seen on video from CBS Texas Chopper digging in the yard with excavators and shovels, sifting through piles of dirt.
In an interview on Wednesday, Sorrells said after two days of a renewed search for Rodriguez-Alvarez, investigators had found something, though its significance wasn't revealed until Thursday's press conference.
Joseph Rothrock, FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge, said the partnership with Everman Police, the DA's Office and the Texas Rangers during this renewed effort was a testament to their continued dedication to honor the memory of Rodriguez-Alvarez and to bring closure to the community.
During questions from the media, authorities said they believe Rodriguez Singh will eventually be found competent to stand trial for her son's murder.