Rio Grande Valley Friends and Families of Murdered Children

Rio Grande Valley Friends and Families of Murdered Children

Proudly Introduces the RIO PROJECT COLD CASE HOMICIDE DATABASE: A Regional Initiative to Spotlight Unsolved Murders and Amplify the Voices of Victims and Their Families

The Rio Grande Valley Families and Friends of Murdered Children (RGV-FFOMC) is honored to announce the launch of the Rio Project Cold Case Homicide Database—a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to centralize and bring public attention to unsolved homicide cases throughout the Rio Grande Valley. This comprehensive and publicly accessible database will be a powerful tool for elevating awareness, supporting grieving families, and encouraging renewed investigative efforts.

Phase I – County Coverage:
The initial rollout will include unsolved homicide cases submitted from the following four counties:
  • Hidalgo County
  • Cameron County
  • Starr County
  • Willacy County

Each entry will be verified and submitted by either:
  • Local law enforcement agencies, or
  • Surviving family members seeking to keep their loved one’s memory alive and case visible.
RGV-FFOMC plans to expand the database to include additional counties across the region as resources allow.

Why This Matters:
Keeping a homicide victim’s case in the public eye not only honors their memory but also increases the likelihood of generating new leads, witnesses, or information that may help bring justice—visibility matters. Awareness saves cases.

How to Submit a Case:
Families or law enforcement agencies wishing to submit an unsolved homicide case for inclusion may do so by completing the official Case Summary -
Cold Case Submission - Google Forms

Submission Form. Submission does not guarantee immediate inclusion; all entries are subject to verification and review.

⚠️ Please Note:

Rio Project Cold Case is not a private investigative service. This initiative is strictly for public awareness and advocacy purposes. All investigative matters remain under the jurisdiction of the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

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167 cases found.
CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: July 16, 2017
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Nahomi Rodriguez
Age 19
Gender Female
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Unknown
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 602 N. 77
Sunshine Strip Harlingen, Texas, 78550
Cameron
L.E.A Harlingen Police Department

Cold Case Spotlight

On July 16, 2017, Nahomi Rodriguez, a 19-year old, went missing from McDonald’s in Harlingen, Texas. She was last seen alive entering a light colored early 2000s Ford Escape on surveillance video outside her work at a McDonald’s in Harlingen in July 2016. About one year later her skeletal remains were found in Rio Hondo in April 2017. Investigators believe that the same person and vehicle are captured on video from a camera inside the fast food restaurant. A man in a white cap with a black shirt pulls up to the drive-through window. Nahomi can be seen giving the unknown man a fist-punch. The Harlingen police department, law enforcement partners, and community partners are offering $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Naomi's disappearance and death.
CCR: 01-19446
Date Reported: September 14, 2001
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Unknown
Gender Unknown
Race Unknown
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Suspicious Death
Cause Unknown
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 13 1/2 miles north Conway
L.E.A Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office
CCR: 01-7299
Date Reported: April 8, 2001
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Unknown
Gender Male
Race Caucasian/White
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Unknown
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 3 1/2 West Road and 19 North Road
Elsa Tx , 78543
L.E.A Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office
CCR: 90-10085
Date Reported: July 12, 1990
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Unknown
Gender Unknown
Race Unknown
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Unknown
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1 3/10 south of mile 5
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office
CCR: 2014-00008696
Date Reported: February 4, 2014
VICTIM DETAILS
Name David Means
Age 22
Gender Male
Race Caucasian/White
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name 23-year-old Joseph Espinoza, 23-year-old Hector Nicolas Medina-Castillo and 23-year-old Luz Aurora Rivera-Ibarra
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 4800 block of La Vista Avenue
McAllen Texas, 78501
Hidalgo County
L.E.A McAllen Police Department

Cold Case Spotlight

Authorities are asking for the public's help in finding three people who have been identified as suspects in connection to a deadly weekend home invasion in McAllen. A home invasion off the 4800 block of La Vista Avenue left Arturo Hinojosa and David Means dead on Saturday night. McAllen police reported on Tuesday morning that three suspects have been identified. Investigators are looking for 23-year-old Joseph Espinoza on murder and aggravated robbery charges. Espinoza was last seen driving a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe. McAllen police also reported that 23-year-old Hector Nicolas Medina-Castillo is also wanted on murder and possession of marijuana charges. A third suspect identified as 23-year-old Luz Aurora Rivera-Ibarra is wanted on a possession of marijuana charge. Investigators say two more suspects only known by their nicknames "El Cholo" and "Boxer" still need to be identified. Anyone with information about the suspects or the case is asked to call McAllen Crime Stoppers at (956) 687-TIPS or (956) 687-8477
CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: September 26, 1988
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Michael Flores
Age 15
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 201 Forrest Street
Rio Hondo Texas, 78583
Cameron County
L.E.A Rio Honodo Police Department

Cold Case Spotlight

On September 26, 1988, at approximately 9:30 PM, Michael Flores returned to his home, 201 Forrest Street in Rio Hondo, after attending band practice. Michael went into his bedroom and began listening to the radio. The occupants of the home heard a gunshot and went to Michael’s bedroom. They found Michael in his bedroom slumped over with a gunshot wound. The shot came from outside the bedroom and struck Michael. Michael was pronounced dead at the scene. No Justice. No Peace.
CCR: Unknown
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Alan E. Bossom
Age 34
Gender Male
Race Caucasian/White
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location Robindale Road and FM 3248
Brownsville Texas, 78520
Cameron
L.E.A Cameron Co. Sheriff's Office

Cold Case Spotlight

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (KVEO) — This month marked 31 years since the murder of Alan E. Bossom was discovered. After a long day, many people can relate to feeling sluggish while driving home, so when a passerby reported a man asleep at the wheel they did not think that the man could be found dead. On July 4, 1990, Alan E. Bossom was found dead at the wheel of a vehicle at the intersection of Robindale Road and FM 3248 in Brownsville. Bossom had been in town for a couple of days before being discovered murdered. Chief Deputy at the time, Carlos Tapia, reported what sheriff’s deputies had seen when having responded to the crime scene. Tapia stated “they found Bossom inside a 1977 Chevrolet station wagon, slumped over the steering wheel,” according to an article from the Valley Morning Star. Deputies believed the man was asleep, however, after further observation, it became clear that Bossom had been murdered. Bossom had suffered a gunshot wound to his head. He was officially pronounced dead at the scene by the Justice of the Peace at the time, Tony Torres. Investigation revealed that family members did not know he was in town. This investigation remains active and no arrests have been made.
CCR: 92-23522
Date Reported: October 19, 1992
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Unknown
Gender Unknown
Race Unknown
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Unknown
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location south side of bus. 83 on Hutto Rd.
L.E.A Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office
CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: October 18, 1988
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Eduardo A. Cuellar
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location Cameron County
L.E.A Cameron County Sheriff's Office

Cold Case Spotlight

CAMERON COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A knock on the door from a stranger lead to the abduction and murder of a local man. 33 years later, the murder of Eduardo A. Cuellar remains unsolved with no arrests. On October 18, 1988, at approximately 6 p.m. two men arrived at Cuellar’s front door asking for him by name. Cuellar approached the men outside his home when a man put a gun against his rib cage area and forced Cuellar into a black Chevy Balzer where a third man was waiting. The gunman was described as a Mexican man with a mustache wearing a baseball cap, weighing approximately 160 pounds with a height of 5 feet 6 inches, and is estimated to be around 30 years old, according to the Cameron County Sheriffs Office. Family members of Cuellar followed the Chevy from a distance. The vehicle turned around after Cuellar’s body had already been left on the side of the road with multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators say the suspect’s last name may be “Leal” or “Lopez.” This investigation remains active and unsolved. If you have any information on this case, please call the Cameron County Crime Stoppers at their hotline: (866)-350-5551 or (956)-350-5551.
CCR: 11-07606
Date Reported: February 24, 2011
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Juan Antonio Flores
Age 47
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 7610 Wagon Trail
Mission Texas, 78574
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office