The families of David Rivera and Carlos Omar Calderon are hoping cash rewards being offered by the state will bring them the closure they have been seeking for more than a year after both men were found dead in a vehicle engulfed in flames in Oxford last year in what investigators called a “calculated” and “premeditated” murder.

State officials announced Tuesday that Gov. Ned Lamont has approved rewards of up to $50,000 in each of their deaths for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever was responsible.

“I just want justice for David and Omar for my whole family,” Rivera’s mother, Carmen Muniz, said tearfully at a news conference where officials with the Division of Criminal Justice announced the rewards. “We need closure. Whoever knows anything, please come forward.”

William Mendoza makes calls to the public for help solving the murders of his nephew, David Rivera, and Carlos Omar Calderon. (Justin Muszynski/Hartford Courant)

“It doesn’t matter how small you may think it is — you saw something or something crossed your path — speak up, say something,” Rivera’s uncle, William Mendoza, said outside the Office of the Chief’s State’s Attorney Office in Rocky Hill following the news briefing. “I know that there’s a code of conduct out there on the street, but when it happens to your family you kind of tend to push that to the side. Well, it happened to our family, so we’re asking you to just push that aside.”

Mendoza described Rivera and Calderon as associates to one another. He said his nephew was well-liked and worked as a mechanic at a car dealership in East Hartford. Family members are baffled as to who would have wanted him and Calderon dead, Mendoza said.

“What goes through these people’s minds? You know, for it to be premeditated,” Mendoza said.

Photos of David Rivera, left, and Carlos Omar Calderon sat on a table at a news briefing where officials announced rewards of up to $50,000 for information in connection with each of their killings. (Justin Muszynski/Hartford Courant)

Rivera, 36, and Calderon, 39, both of Hartford were found dead on May 30, 2024, after firefighters and state troopers responded to a car fire off Route 34 in Oxford in an area near the Stevenson Dam around 4:10 a.m., according to Connecticut State Police and the DCJ. Crews found the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames.

After firefighters put out the flames, both men were found dead inside, authorities said. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted autopsies on both men, finding that Rivera was killed by a gunshot wound to his head. Calderon died of “homicidal violence” of an “unknown type,” a spokesperson for office said. Both deaths were ruled a homicide.

Authorities at the news briefing did not share many details about the investigation or what they believe could have served as a motive for the killings.

State’s Attorney Margaret E. Kelley of the Ansonia-Milford Judicial District said neither man had any connection to the area where they were found.

State’s Attorney Margaret E. Kelley speaks at a news conference discussing the murders of David Rivera and Carlos Omar Calderon. (Justin Muszynski/Hartford Courant)

Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin described the killings as “calculated” and “premeditated,” though he declined to provide further information when asked what led investigators to come to that conclusion.

“I think it’s fair to say that this was not a chance encounter, that these individuals were taken to a particular location,” Griffin said. “Whether they died there or at another location, there was a plan. That’s as far as we’ll go today. Obviously this is an active and ongoing investigation.”

The killings remain under investigation by the Ansonia-Milford State’s Attorney’s Office and the state police Western District Major Crime Squad.

Family members of David Rivera wore “Justice for David” shirts at a news briefing where they were joined by state officials who pleaded with the public for help solving the murders of Rivera and Carlos Omar Calderon. (Justin Muszynski/Hartford Courant)

Rivera was a father of two, including a daughter who recently turned 15, his family said, wearing “Justice for David” shirts.

Calderon was also a father. His family did not wish to speak at the news conference.

Mendoza said the hardest part of the last 16 months has been all the important milestones that Rivera has missed.

“Missing David is what’s been happening this whole year,” Mendoza said. “Birthdays, activities, family gatherings. Things that he’s missing out on and we’re missing out on having him.

“David was a joyful part of the family, kooky, always upbeat,” Mendoza added. “He was a kind heart. The kind you could depend on.”

Rivera was also a gifted athlete who loved football. He relished working on cars and was living out his dream while working as a talented mechanic, Mendoza said.

The most difficult part of the investigation has been waiting for answers and standing by as family members hope that the killer will be brought to justice, Mendoza said. He hopes the reward money will prompt someone to come forward.

“Now we wait for the phone to ring,” Mendoza said.

“Their families deserve to know what happened to their father, son, brother, and loved one,” Kelley said.

“We want to emphasize that any information whatsoever may be useful and may provide the missing link necessary to resolve and to solve this case,” Kelley said.

Anyone with information has been asked to contact state police Det. Kevin Roberts at 203-267-2200, ext. 2227, or Kevin.Roberts2@ct.gov.

Originally Published: September 30, 2025 at 4:03 PM EDT