Family Of Man Found In Caney River Shocked Over Death

The family of Rafael Hernandez Torres wants to know who killed him and why. Investigators say someone shot him several times, put his body in the trunk of his car and then rolled it into the Caney River.

The family said they have no idea who would do such a horrific thing to a well-respected man.

His brother, Oscar Hernandez, said he always went out of his way to help others and was a leader in the Hispanic community. In fact, he owned his own taxi business, primarily for people who don't speak English.

5/1/2015 Related Story: Man's Body Found In Car In Caney River Near Collinsville

Hernandez believes he likely gave the wrong person a ride.

Family gathered at a Tulsa home to mourn together and reflect on the life of Torres; a father and role model for many, including his younger brother.

"Always helping people, always helping the family, so I don't know, why would someone do this,” Hernandez asked.

Hernandez said he talked to his brother Thursday afternoon and said Torres picked him up in his Tahoe - a vehicle he had bought that same day to expand their taxi service business, El Correcaminos, which means The Roadrunner.

"He was in a good, happy mood. He had just gotten this truck," Hernandez said.

He never imagined it would be the last time he'd see his brother alive.

Friday morning Hernandez was waiting for his brother's call.

“I was going to go pick up some people but he didn't call me, so I was looking through Facebook," he said.

That's where he saw pictures and videos of his brother's car submerged in the Caney River.

"I thought it was him. A little instinct told me it was him," said Hernandez.

He and other family went to the scene where investigators told them Torres had been shot multiple times and that his body was discovered in the trunk after rescuers got his car to shore.

"I don't know why anyone would do this. He just wanted to help people," Hernandez said.

Investigators believe Torres was killed somewhere else and then put in the trunk; they believe his car was intentionally driven into the river by the murderer.

Hernandez has no idea who would kill his brother, but thinks it was likely someone who called and needed a ride.

"I hope he is in a better place and I hope he looks after me," he said.

Hernandez said Torres grew up in Mexico but moved to Tulsa to live the American dream. He did just that starting his own business - a business Hernandez plans to expand in honor of his brother.