Nearly five decades have passed, but the Amarillo Police Department is once again turning to the public in hopes of shedding new light on the unsolved murder of Joseph Branovic, whose life was tragically cut short on the night of April 15, 1976.
According to police records, officers were dispatched to Yosip’s Package Store, located at 110 E 9th Street, around 9:00 PM that evening. Inside the back room of the store, they discovered the body of Branovic, who had suffered a fatal gunshot wound behind his left ear. Authorities say it appeared that his pockets had been emptied, indicating robbery as a possible motive.
Despite initial efforts, no arrests were ever made, and the case eventually went cold. Now, the Cold Case Unit of the Amarillo Police Department is asking for the public’s help once more.
Investigators are particularly interested in any information about suspicious activity in the area that night between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM or any individuals seen entering or leaving the store.
The Amarillo Police Department encourages anyone with even the smallest detail to come forward. All tips are welcome and can remain completely anonymous.
If you have any information that could assist in this investigation, please contact:
Cold Case Unit: 806-378-6468
Amarillo Crime Stoppers (Anonymous): 806-374-4400
Online Tips: amapolice.org
P3 Tips App: Downloadable via app stores for anonymous submissions
