A pair of red Crocs, an insulin pen and a mystery solved through DNA
Lila Mendez
Lila Mendez
Bureau Chief · Houston, TX
Lila Mendez has spent over 15 years in local journalism, honing her skills at the Houston Chronicle and NPR’s Houston affiliate. A graduate of the University of Houston, she excels in connecting with the community and has a knack for unearthing stories that highlight the diverse voices of Houston's neighborhoods.
More from Lila →Bureau Chief · Friday, November 6, 2026 at 2:25 PM · 1 min read
Forensic genetic genealogy helped investigators identify Robert LaFaire, whose remains were found in a tree line in February 2023.