Skip to Content

It’s been four years since the murder near Cathedral City’s “Candy Cane Lane,” police still searching for answers

CANDY CANE PIC
David Chavez and Roxanne Cerda

It’s been four years since the brutal murder near the Cathedral City street known as “Candy Cane Lane.” The case is still unsolved. 

In December of 2015, Roxanne Cerda was with her boyfriend, David Chavez, enjoying the street popular for it’s holiday decorations. But the more popular the street becomes, the more traffic it attracts each year. Police say 100,000 to 500,000 cars pass through every holiday season. 

It was apparent road rage that led to a confrontation between Chavez and another man in an SUV. Police say a couple streets away, the killer shot Chavez multiple times, then turned the gun on Cerda, killing her unborn child. 

Cerda spoke with News Channel 3 last year. “I can’t celebrate the holidays like I used to because I’ll always think about the time that I lost my son,” she said. 

Just a week before Christmas, Cerda had lost both her boyfriend and unborn baby. 

Police have told News Channel 3 they have exhausted all leads. They say they’ve worked tirelessly with all scientific resources and other agencies, but will need something new from the public to move forward: “Maybe it might make somebody think that the info they have about something might be useful to us. Maybe there was something they saw that may be useful but maybe somebody knows something. And maybe it’s time they come forward and talk to us,” said Paul Herrera with Cathedral City Police. 

Chavez’s murder remains one of dozens of unsolved murders across the Coachella Valley over the past few years.

Police say that despite the chance to help bring a killer to justice, some witnesses still stay hidden. They say people may not talk for several reasons, whether it’s fear of retaliation or deportation.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Cathedral City Police Department.

Article Topic Follows: News

Jump to comments ↓

Author Profile Photo

Madison Weil

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

News Channel 3 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content