Nearly five years after the murder of 22-year-old Erick Bridges, police have uncovered new details in the cold case.
In May 2013, Bridges died from stab wounds he got while working the AM/PM convenience store at 7601 E. Tanque Verde Rd.
Detectives from the Tucson Police Department Homicide Unit determined that the suspect stabbed the clerk, Bridges, with an unknown object after a short confrontation and then left the store.
A hooded sweatshirt and a backpack believed to belong to the unknown suspect were recovered by detectives less than a week after the incident occurred.
The suspect remained unknown until now.
After resubmitting evidence for forensic testing, a fingerprint was matched to a man named Matthew Montano.
When attempted to locate Montano, police learned he took his own life in 2014. He was 18-years-old at the time of his death.
A DNA comparison from Montano to the blood evidence at the scene confirmed his involvement in the murder.
Detectives have now closed the case and Bridges' next of kin were notified.
