How does one pursue an abandoned home, possibly no heirs?

[Rodney Sums]

This property is in El Paso, TX

The following is an account from a friend of mine interested in pursuing neighboring home:

-House has been vacant 6 years

-The owner and her two sons died. Owner nor children were married. Owner has no grandchildren. It is unknown if there's any other next of kin. It appears none are aware as the property isn't being maintained.

I looked up tax records on the county assessor site. The last payment was in 2020. Not sure how long that county waits to put the taxes to auction.  What I told her so far is the state (or other governing body) would eventually put the house in to probate and it would go to the next of kind...which could even be some distant cousin the owner wasnt acquaintedwith.  I also shared with her the possibility of a tax auction and someone gaining ownership that way.  

I'm not certain between auction and probate which would take precedent. 

I suggested she work with a realtor, maybe even a P.I. to find who would be the heir and approach them for an off market deal.

if anything I said is incorrect and you have some insight about how she might pursue buying this hime, especially if you know how it works in that county, please share! Thank you.