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20 year old Dristen Reyes's body was found in a shallow grave on Good Friday morning. He had gone missing on Wednesday evening and it is believed Reyes was killed sometime on Thursday. Courtney Weatherburne has more.

Courtney Weatherburne reporting
Lucky Dube's "Slave" was one of Dristen Reyes' favorite songs. It was always a joy hearing him sing along to the lyrics. But now this track only brings the family pain and sadness - a reminder that Reyes will no longer be around.

Reyes was murdered most likely on Thursday- on his birthday. When he didn't come home to celebrate, that's when the family knew something was wrong.

Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"6:00 so the last time he was seen was in the "Another World" area on Wednesday evening around 5:00 so?"

Aurora Vasquez, Sister
"Yes ma'am, around 5:00 and we see Thursday come and he did not come and we know that it is his birthday and he will never stay away from us for his birthday and that is when we know that his missing."

The family along with a group of Teakettle villagers teamed up to search for him and that's when they found his body down this road in Camalote around 9:00 on Good Friday.

His killers had stuffed his body in shallow grave. Reyes died a cruel death.

Malarie Reyes, Sister
"They knock his teeth out of his mouth, he had a tooth that was way out, they bruised his face and they stamped him in the belly with a big shoes, steel toe boots and they shot him in the 19:14 head with a license gun, they beat him and dragged him with a horse and the horse shoe is still there where they left evidence and the foot, they dragged him by his foot because the rope mark is on his foot."

Courtney Weatherburne
"So they dragged him over here?"

Malarie Reyes, Sister
"Yes they dragged him here and they did a shallow grave for him."

The family can't say for sure what's behind Reyes' brutal murder - they can only speculate based on information they have gotten.

Malarie Reyes, Sister
"I heard that the rumors that they told us, well they told my cousin and my cousin told us that it is about some horse. They had 3 horses that they stole from some Mennonites and police still have one of the horse and I guess they sold two of the horses and they promised him they would give them some money and they gave him. And I assume they beat him back for the money."

Aurora Vasquez, Sister
"Maybe he know something about them and then they are afraid he goes to talk and then you know they will kill him. They chance my little brother out of his life, we are begging for justice."

And it seems whoever silenced Reyes wanted to get rid of his family too. They say it may be the same culprits who broke into their house around 2:00 this morning to send a message.

Courtney Weatherburne
"But you guys know more or less who did this to your brother?"

Aurora Vasquez, Sister
"Yes ma'am we know more or less that is why they are after us."

Courtney Weatherburne
"And you said it might those same people who came to your house and broke in?"

Aurora Vasquez, Sister
"Yes ma'am, they are the same ones."

Courtney Weatherburne
"They didn't steal anything this morning?"

Aurora Vasquez, Sister
"No ma'am they didn't steal anything, they just come, I think walk in to check the rooms to see if anybody was here."

Courtney Weatherburne
"You think they came to kill?"

Aurora Vasquez, Sister
"Yes ma'am, nobody will come for nothing, they have to come to kill and the thing is we fear for our lives because we have kids."

While they have to try to protect their children, they are burdened by the weight of their loss.

Aurora Vasquez, Sister
"I see so much people cry over the news but I never believed this would come knocking at our door. It hurt so bad, it hurt so bad. I know it hurt because we love our brother."

He leaves behind his parents and a number of siblings.