2001-09-20

Cops: Teenage Girl Brutally Beaten, Strangled

A guest at an Amarillo, Texas, motel noticed something was awry when turning in to the room for the evening. Blood covered the outside of Room 220's door, and it was ajar. Concerned that someone could be hurt, the guest immediately notified hotel staff.

What cops found the evening of Sept. 20, 2001, was a scene they will never forget.

They say the body of 16-year-old Jessica Sills was found lying in a pool of blood, and the room was a disaster. Autopsy reports indicate the teenager had been severely beaten and strangled.

Police say all clues pointed to her boyfriend, 23-year-old Carlos Daniel Rendon, who had already high-tailed it out of there.

"Rendon was seen leaving the scene of the crime and witnesses report seeing him there prior," said Detective Paul Buckles of the Potter County Sheriff's Office. "The two got the room together is what we're assuming."

Authorities say Rendon has had violent tendencies and had been abusive to Jessica in the past. The bright-eyed student had been reported as a runaway just a month earlier.

"The motive is still unclear in this brutal and tragic murder," Detective Buckles said. "I've still struggled with looking at the crime scene photos; Jessica was pretty brutally beaten."

Cops immediately set out on a search for Rendon, soon realizing that he was no longer in the Amarillo area.

Now they need the public's tips to track down this accused killer and finally put this case to bed.

Police: Rendon Could Be Traveling Along U.S.-Mexico Border

The search has continued since 2001, but the police have had no luck capturing Rendon so far.

"We've been told Rendon is a U.S. citizen, though he says he was born in Mexico," Detective Buckles said.

Authorities say Rendon -- now 32 years old -- has a scar above one eye, a scar on his abdomen and unknown tattoos on his right arm.

Cops also say he has a penchant for smoking marijuana and possibly using other controlled substances. They say the accused murderer also loves drinking beer, but it's unknown what brand he preferred.

"The only prior charges that we have on Rendon are possession of marijuana, theft and various probation revocations," Detective Buckles said.

Authorities have reason to believe that he may be travelling between Texas and Mexico, where he has contacts. They think the accused murderer could be visiting his parents in Houston or hanging around Mexico. Cops think he could also have family ties to Michigan, although nothing has been confirmed.

If you've seen accused murderer Carlos Daniel Rendon, or know anything about this case, do the right thing and call our Hotline right away.