Update: Gwinnett PD identify, charge suspect in July 3 murder of missing man found dead in truck

Update

Suspect to be extradited from Alabama

(Lawrenceville, Ga., August 13, 2024) – The Gwinnett County Police Department has charged Mario Rene Lopez-Jolon, 38, of Lawrenceville, for the death of Guadalupe Garcia Rodriguez, 40, found dead in his truck on July 3 after being reported missing by his wife.

Mario Rene Lopez-Jolon

According to an updated press release from GCPD, on Aug. 8, detectives received new information that the victim in this case was recently in a dispute over some land in Mexico with the father of an ex-girlfriend. Following interviews with the ex-girlfriend, investigators were able to identify the suspect in this case and learned that he was in Huntsville, Alabama. Detectives contacted the Huntsville Police Department, and the suspect was taken into custody at a hotel in Huntsville. 

Lopez-Jolon is charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of certain felonies. He is currently awaiting extradition to Gwinnett County from Madison County, Ala.

Initial Story

Body of victim was found in his truck on July 3

The Gwinnett County Police Department is asking the public for assistance in identifying a male suspect in connection to a homicide after the body of a missing man was found in his truck on July 3.

According to a press release from GCPD, the suspect, who is pictured above, is described as a Hispanic male in his 20s or 30s with a slim build. He was last seen walking on Bethesda Church Road near Hidden Dr in unincorporated Lawrenceville.

GCPD report that at 12:30 am on July 3, officers responded to the 200 block of Paden Cove Trail to check on a parked truck.  The arrived to find the body of Guadalupe Garcia Rodriguez, 40, of Lawrenceville. Rodriguez had been reported missing by his wife on July 1.  She told officers that her husband never came home that afternoon and was last seen leaving in the truck that day. 

The motive is unknown and officers are asking anybody with information to please come forward.

If anyone has any information to share in this case, please contact GCPD detectives at 770.513.5300. To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404.577.TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrimeATL.com. Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case.