EXCLUSIVE: New lead in nearly a decade-old Selma homicide could provide closure to a grieving mother

SELMA, Calif. (KFSN) -- A new lead in a nine-year cold case could deliver closure for Lydia Magaña.

"It's not going to bring her back, but it'll give me some kind of peace," said Lydia Magaña, the mother of Desiree Austin.

The Selma mother breaking her silence Friday after speaking out for the first time since the fatal shooting of her only daughter, Desiree Austin in 2017.

"I miss her everyday and she was a part of my world and I feel I don't have anything because she's gone," said Magaña.

On August 31, Desiree went out to celebrate a friend's birthday.

"I told her, 'Be careful.' I go, 'I love you.' She said, 'I love you, too.' and she left," said Magaña.

Those were the last words Lydia would exchange with her 15-year-old daughter.

The Selma High sophomore was hit by gunfire during a drive-by shooting in front of a friend's home near Mills and Olive streets in Selma.
Action News was in the area the next day and spoke to the teen's friend who was there the night of the shooting.

"She looked so much in shock, she wasn't saying nothing to me. I just told her to keep her eyes on me and to keep breathing," said Desiree's friend.

Desiree was taken to a local hospital and rushed into surgery where doctors worked to save her life.

"They came out and told me she was doing good -- that they sewed her heart, but when they did that she flat-lined and she didn't make it," said Magaña.

Nearly a decade later, the Fresno County Sheriff's Office revealed a new lead in Desiree's homicide on Friday.

Detectives released vehicle information tied to the suspect described as a blue 2002 Buick Rendezvous with a California license plate 7-E-D-R-7-4-7.

According to investigators, witnesses said they saw two people inside that vehicle -- a female driver and a male passenger. Another possible tip: the Sheriff's Office believes the firearm used in Desiree's case, may be linked to a separate shooting in Fresno County.

Lydia felt it was time to share her story with other grieving mothers who have lost children to gun violence.

"Don't give up because I'm here nine years later and this is happening. Trust in God and stay strong. I know it's hard," said Magaña.

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