The family hopes the new Crime Stoppers reward will bring closure three years after the man's death

SAN ANTONIO – Three years after their loved one was stabbed to death, a San Antonio family hopes Crime Stoppers Prize donations will bring answers.

Troy Demetrius Lee, 22, was a son, father and street minister. He died months before his second daughter was born.

“We find comfort in knowing he is still our angel,” said Michaela Gallegos-Gaitan, his aunt. “He used to always speak the word. He always showed a positive attitude towards everyone. He told me and his family, 'Stay positive.' It will get better.'”

These are strong words that the family still repeats today, as it appears his murder remains unsolved.

The family said on June 28, 2021, Lee was outside his apartment playing a game as he usually did because he was a night owl.

Something happened that led to him calling 911 and saying he had been stabbed.

When San Antonio police arrived, they found him on a hill near a bus stop and unfortunately he died on the way to the hospital.

Lee never had the opportunity to meet his now three-year-old daughter, Troi' Sapphire Lee.

“She definitely knows her dad,” Gallegos-Gaitan said. “She knows him in spirit and hears from us all the time. We always tell her that her father was handsome. She is as beautiful as her daddy. He loved her. He loved her and continues to watch over her.”

The family said the investigation stalled after the detective originally assigned to the case was reassigned to another department.

Lee's case was only reopened earlier this year, reviving the family's hope.

“The assigned detective contacted people and re-interviewed them to find out things they may have missed at first,” Gallegos-Gaitan said. “We have hope, but we want to make sure she stays at the top. Someone killed Troy, and that someone is still out there, potentially hurting someone else.”

For Dia De Los Muertos, the Lee family participated in an ofrenda set up at Mission San Jose.

“He is now with our loved one who died before him, but he was far too young to leave,” Gallegos-Gaitan said. “He had a whole life ahead of him. He had children to raise and is not here to do that. We just want justice for him. We need justice for him.”

The family has increased their original Crime Stoppers award from $5,000 to $10,000. Anyone with information is asked to call (210)-224-STOP.

“The sad thing is we don’t know who might have done this,” Gallegos-Gaitan said. “But if you're afraid to speak out, don't be afraid. Speak louder. It's for the right reasons. We want to bring justice. We ask you to speak up if you know anything.”

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