VICTIM DETAILS

Name	Leo Cadena
Gender	Male
Race	Hispanic/Latino

SUSPECT DETAILS

Name	Unknown
Offense	Murder
Cause	Blunt Force
Location	Unknown

CASE DETAILS

Status	Unsolved
Incident location	1 block N of Radio Rd. on McColl East side Pharr Texas, 78577 Hidalgo
L.E.A	Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office

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VICTIM DETAILS

Name	Dora Elia Gaitan
Gender	Female
Race	Hispanic/Latino

SUSPECT DETAILS

Name	Unknown
Offense	Murder
Cause	Gun/Firearm
Location	Unknown

CASE DETAILS

Status	Unsolved
Incident location	802 Church San Juan Texas, 78589 Hidalgo
L.E.A	Hidalgo CO. Sherriff's Office

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Dora Elia Gaitan was fatally shot in her home in San Juan, Texas on January 29th, 2013.

VICTIM DETAILS

Name	Ruth A. Melton
Age	79
Gender	Female
Race	Caucasian/White

SUSPECT DETAILS

Name	Unknown
Offense	Murder
Cause	Blunt Force
Location	Unknown

CASE DETAILS

Status	Unsolved
Incident location	Unknown Unknown Weslaco Texas, 78596 Hidalgo County
L.E.A	Weslaco Police Department

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On the night of August 26-27, 1988, an unknown person entered the home of Ruth Melton, 79-year-old women bludgeoned to death. An unknown suspect(s) entered the house through an unlocked door and went into Ruth`s bedroom, where he beat her to death. It is unknown what weapon the suspect(s) used in the beating. An autopsy confirmed that Ruth`s death was caused by a blunt force object to the head. She suffered a fractured skull and created a massive blood loss.

VICTIM DETAILS

Name	Alfredo Garcia Brito
Age	34
Gender	Male
Race	African American/Black

SUSPECT DETAILS

Name	Unknown
Offense	Murder
Cause	Gun/Firearm
Location	Unknown

CASE DETAILS

Status	Unsolved
Incident location	Brownsville Texas, 78520 Cameron
L.E.A	Cameron Co. Sheriff's Office

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Cold Case Spotlight

The body of a 34-year-old man was found with gunshot wounds in the trunk of a car, 22 years later his murder remains unsolved. Credit: Cameron County Sheriff’s Office Alfredo Garcia Brito, 34, was reported missing to the Brownsville Police Department on Saturday, May 22, 1999, by his mother. On Sunday, the Cameron County Sheriffs’ office came across an abandoned car, a White Chevrolet Celebrity, on the outskirts of Brownsville. The abandoned car was later towed and placed in an impound lot. The owner of Raymond’s Wrecker reported a “foul unbearable smell” coming from the car on May 26, 1999, according to a release from the Cameron County Sheriffs Office.

VICTIM DETAILS

Name	Joseph Michael Escobedo
Age	23
Gender	Male
Race	Hispanic/Latino

SUSPECT DETAILS

Name	Unknown
Offense	Murder
Cause	Gun/Firearm
Location	Unknown

CASE DETAILS

Status	Unsolved
Incident location	Schmoker Road Harlingen Texas, 78550 Cameron
L.E.A	Cameron County Sheriff's Office

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Cold Case Spotlight

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Always chosen for jury duty, a man went missing days before trial. His family searched across borders when his body was discovered shot multiple times in a canal. Three decades later, the murder of Joseph Michael Escobedo remains unsolved. Escobedo was a student at Texas Southmost College and a member of the Knights of Columbus, with ambitions to possibly become a teacher, according to reports at the time. The 23-year-old man said goodbye to his family for the last time as he headed out the door for a night out on January 2, 1992. The next day, Escobedo’s parents noticed their son’s absence as his bedroom seemed untouched. Growing concerned following a call from Escobedo’s boss stating he had not arrived for his shift, his father began a search. Escobedo’s father searched jails and police stations in Harlingen, Brownsville, South Padre Island, Reynosa, and even Matamoros. However, there was no trace. After waiting 24-hours, the Escobedos filed an official missing person report with the Brownsville Police Department. On January 4, 1992, Escobedo’s “bullet-riddled” body was discovered that same afternoon in a canal along Schmoker Road, outside Harlingen city limits near Valley International Airport, according to the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities said Escobedo was shot eight times with two different weapons. Investigators spoke with Escobedo’s friends who claimed that they last saw him leaning against a car in the parking lot at the Genesis nightclub in Brownsville. Police were not able to determine whether he left by himself or whether someone picked him up. Feeling like they took a “part of [her] heart out,” Escobedo’s mother explained to investigators that her son was a good citizen. Emphasizing how much he enjoyed jury duty, as it was one of his “favorite hobbies.” The mother told reporters with the Valley Morning Star at the time that Escobedo was actually expected in court within days of his disappearance and murder. Escobedo was set to attend the trial of a county case on January 6, 1992. Lieutenant Ernesto Flores with the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office told reporters at the time that they could not find a motive. Adding that Escobedo “had a lot of friends, but few enemies.” In their son’s memory, the Escobedos planted a white rose bush under Michael’s bedroom window shortly after his death. Escobedo’s mother shared that she takes the roses that have blossomed to his grave. This case remains an open investigation. Individuals with any information on this case are asked to call the Cameron County Crime Stoppers at their hotline: (866)-350-5551 or (956)-350-5551.

VICTIM DETAILS

Name	Arnaldo Garza Sr.
Age	45
Gender	Male
Race	Hispanic/Latino

SUSPECT DETAILS

Name	Unknown
Offense	Murder
Cause	Gun/Firearm
Location	Unknown

CASE DETAILS

Status	Unsolved
Incident location	822 W Wisconsin Rd Edinburg Texas , 78539 Hidalgo County
L.E.A	Edinburg Police Department

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Cold Case Spotlight

EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An Edinburg family paid $70,000 for the safe return of their loved one only to have him discovered decomposed in a sugarcane field. Three decades later, Arnaldo Garza’s murder remains unsolved. Garza was a husband and welder, known for starting A&A Welding. The 46-year-old man was taken from his home and used as ransom on November 6, 1988, according to Texas DPS. His family received a call stating that Garza had been kidnapped, demanding money to be delivered to Reynosa, Mexico. Reporting the disappearance to authorities, the family delivered the $70,000 in ransom to an individual in Reynosa. Raul Garza, the Assistant Chief of the Edinburg Police Department at the time, immediately advised the kidnapping to the FBI. Additionally, the family reported the payment to officials. Reports at the time stated that “the family awaited an additional demand for delivery of money and return of Garza with completion of the ransom payment.” However, no further word was ever received. On November 17, 1988, Garza’s body was discovered “badly decomposed” in a sugarcane field near Moore Air Field in Edinburg, according to reports at the time in the Valley Morning Star. The following Wednesday, Garza’s wife identified his body through identification of clothing. Edinburg police also verified identity through dental records. Texas DPS asks anyone with information to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip HERE. Texas Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $3,000 to any person who provides information that leads to the arrest of the person/persons responsible for this crime.

VICTIM DETAILS

Name	Juan Manuel Belmarez
Age	35
Gender	Male
Race	Hispanic/Latino

SUSPECT DETAILS

Name	Unknown
Offense	Murder
Cause	Gun/Firearm
Location	Unknown

CASE DETAILS

Status	Unsolved
Incident location	Jose Borrego St and Hwy 107 Edcouch Texas, 78538 Hidalgo County
L.E.A	Edcouch Police Department

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Cold Case Spotlight

Texas Rangers Lead the Homicide Investigation in the murder of Juan Manuel Belmarez. The murder and shooting death of Juan Manuel Belmarez occur on Reyes St. and South Ave in Edcouch. A white SUV suburban was stopped in the middle of the street with riddle with bullet holes through the front windshields. The murder took place around 7:00 pm on Sunday. The family wants Justice for Juan Belmarez.

VICTIM DETAILS

Name	Laura Guerra
Age	22
Gender	Female
Race	Hispanic/Latino

SUSPECT DETAILS

Name	Unknown
Offense	Murder
Cause	Gun/Firearm
Location	Unknown

CASE DETAILS

Status	Unsolved
Incident location	1111 W. Main Street. RIO MOTEL Rio Grande City Texas, 78582 Starr County
L.E.A	Starr County Sheriff's Office

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Cold Case Spotlight

On May 23rd, 1990, the dead body of Laura Guerra,22, was found in a wooded area across the road from the Rio Motel in Rio Grande City. The RIO MOTEL is located at 1111 W. Main Street. Investigators believe that Guerra was murdered at another location, possibly at the motel, and that her body was dumped in the wooded area. Autopsy results indicate that Guerra was killed three days earlier by a gunshot wound to the head. Several clues were followed, but the case went cold. Texas Rangers and the Starr County Sheriff’s Office have reopened this case, and are seeking the public’s help for information to help identify Guerra’s killer. Investigators believe that a possible witness may have information on this crime, and are asking for the public’s help in identifying a person known in the area, in 1990, known as "Gaston Garza," or "Mariano".

VICTIM DETAILS

Name	John Doe 5
Gender	Male
Race	Caucasian/White

SUSPECT DETAILS

Name	Unknown
Offense	Murder
Cause	Blunt Force
Location	Unknown

CASE DETAILS

Status	Unsolved
Incident location	F.M. 493 & 12 1/2 N. E. on Victoria Rd. Donna Texas, 78537 Hidalgo
L.E.A	Hidalgo Co. Sherriff's Office

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VICTIM DETAILS

Name	Heather N. Indoe
Gender	Female
Race	Caucasian/White

SUSPECT DETAILS

Name	Unknown
Offense	Hit and Run
Cause	Blunt Force
Location	Unkown

CASE DETAILS

Status	Unsolved
Incident location	5218 Wassell Edinburg Texas, 78539 Hidalgo
L.E.A	Hidalgo Co. Sherriff's Office

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