A rancher finds Gabriel Quintanilla beaten, in a field outside McAllen, Texas. The 42-year-old dies of blunt force trauma to the head. An investigation uncovers a warrant for Quintanilla on charges of continuous sexual assault of a child and assault, family violence. This is after Quintanilla’s 9-year-old daughter accuses him of inappropriately touching her.

Police said the girl’s teen half-brothers, Christian and Alejandro Trevino, learn of the accusations and confront Quintanilla, leading to a fight. Quintanilla reportedly then left the area on foot. A second fight occurred when Christian Trevino allegedly chased Quintanilla.

At some point, Alejandro Trevino arrived in a car driven by friend Juan Eduardo Melendez, 18. The two other teens reportedly joined in on the attack. Quintanilla was then attacked a third time. Police believe brass knuckles were used. The teens put Quintanilla in the bed of the truck, then drive him to the open field where he is dumped.

An online petition has received more than 240,000 signatures in support of releasing the two brothers and the friend.

Joining Nancy Grace Today:

Additional Guest 

• Kathryn Marsh – Special Victims Liaison for the State’s Attorney’s Office (Charles County, MD), Co-Founder: Right Response Consulting, “No Grey Zone” Podcast”, www.rightresponseconsulting.com, Instagram/Twitter @nogreyzoneRRC

“Crime Stories with Nancy Grace” on Fox Nation is also a national radio show heard on SiriusXM channel 111 airing for two hours daily starting at 12 p.m. EST. You can also subscribe and download the daily podcasts at iHeart Podcasts.

[Feature Photo: Alejandro Trevino, Christian Trevino, and Juan Melendez/Hidalgo County Records]