Sherry Ann Mondragon

Sherry Mondragon’s 2009 Murder Remains Unsolved

Sherry Ann Mondragon was reported missing from her Amarillo apartment in January 2009. Three months later, her body was discovered wrapped in a distinctive rug and concealed inside the garage of an abandoned house.

Mondragon, 55, was last known to have spoken with her father, Al Mondragon, on January 19. After several days without hearing from her, he reported her missing from the 4700 block of South Virginia Street on January 25.^[1]

Her family had visited the apartment and found her vehicle still parked outside, but no one answered the door. Detectives searched the residence, investigated Mondragon’s background and questioned possible witnesses, but initially found no indication of where she had gone.^[2]

At approximately 7:46 a.m. on April 25, 2009, a man collecting discarded items at 1306 N. Spring St. entered the detached garage of a long-abandoned house. Inside, he found what appeared to be a body wrapped in a large, distinctive rug and hidden beneath other items.^[3]

Police identified the victim as Mondragon through a fingerprint. An autopsy found that she had been shot once in the back. Because of the condition of her remains, investigators could not establish precisely when she died.^[4]

The property had been vacant for an extended period, and investigators found no known connection between Mondragon and the house. Authorities repeatedly released photographs of the unusual rug, hoping someone would recognize it or remember where it had been seen. Early appeals produced no useful tips about its origin.

In 2015, Mondragon’s family worked with Amarillo Crime Stoppers to increase the reward to $5,000. Her father said the uncertainty had devastated the family, but that he had forgiven whoever was responsible and wanted that person to explain what happened to his daughter.

The Amarillo Police Department renewed its appeal for information on the 16th anniversary of the discovery in April 2025. Homicide Unit Commander Lt. James Clements said the continuing investigation was about securing justice for Mondragon and providing answers to those who loved her.

The murder remains unsolved, and no arrests have been announced. Anyone with information may contact the Amarillo Police Department Cold Case Unit at 806-378-6468 or Amarillo Crime Stoppers anonymously at 806-374-4400.