On November 7, 1986, Garland Police responded to a disturbance call in the 3600 block of Colbath Street, in Garland. Once on scene, Officers discovered the body of Barbara Fay Villareal, who died after being brutally stabbed multiple times.
At the time of the incident, now-retired Garland Detectives collected relative evidence, which included the possible blood of the suspect. Detectives ruled out Barbara’s husband as the offender.
Barbara’s murder remained unsolved for years until now.
Current Garland Detectives continued to work on this cold case, utilizing relatively new technology, including DNA genealogy. As a result, Detectives learned that the suspect was a close relative to the husband; and his brother, Liborio Canales (brother of the victim’s husband), was identified as a possible suspect.
Liborio, now 85 years old, was taken into custody in Lovington, New Mexico, and questioned about the 1986 murder. Liborio subsequently admitted to the homicide and told Detectives that he was upset with Barbara over a family dispute.
Liborio is charged with murder and currently has a one-million-dollar bond. Liborio is in the extradition process and will be transported to the Dallas County Jail upon completion.
The Garland Police Department is thankful for the assistance of the Dallas FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, the Lea County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lovington New Mexico Police Department for help bringing closure on this cold case and closure for Barbara Fay’s family.
