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
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

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.
CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: January 16, 2011
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Jose "Luis" Martinez Jr.
Age 14
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name 3 Suspects-Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 232 West Longoria Street
Pharr Texas, 78577
Hidalgo County
L.E.A Pharr Police Department

Cold Case Spotlight

Jose Luis Martinez Jr., 14, died with a fatal shot that hit his chest at about 11:31 p.m. on Jan. 16, 2011, during a drive-by shooting on the 200 block of West Longoria Street, according to the Police Department. Two of the bullets each struck relatives 27-year-old Christopher Lee Perez and 30-year-old Jodie Cristina Cross. The single gunshot, believed to have been fired from a .380-caliber pistol, took Jose Luis life. At least three suspected gang members shouted their group’s name — Loco Trece — as they sped away from the 200 block of West Longoria Drive about 11:30 p.m. Sunday. Witnesses at the scene described a red passenger vehicle, possibly a Honda, occupied by three to four subjects leaving the crime scene of the shooting westbound on Longoria street in Las Milpas (South Pharr), Texas.
CCR: 13-03653
Date Reported: January 29, 2013
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

Dora Elia Gaitan was fatally shot in her home in San Juan, Texas on January 29th, 2013.
CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: October 13, 2018
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Irene Ozuna
Age 45
Gender Female
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Mario Lozano Lemus
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Mexico
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1300 block of North Carolina Street in Alton
Penitas TX, 78572
Hidaglo
L.E.A Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office

Cold Case Spotlight

According to officials, 24-year-old Mario Lozano is the main suspect in the death of his mother in law 45-year-old Irene Ozuna and 24-year-old Maria Angelita Vasquez, his sister-in-law.Vasquez’s husband who chose to remain anonymous, says he witnessed the incident. He adds Lozano has been part of their family for a few years and this situation comes as a shock. The witness says that on Saturday night, the suspect’s wife called her sister and mother asking for help because she was having a fight with her husband at their home. The victim’s husband adds his mother in law was shot in the head inside the house and died instantly. His wife also received a shot to the head and died while waiting for medical attention. Authorities are still searching for Lozano. If you have any information on his whereabouts contact Hidalgo County Crime Stoppers at (956) 668-8477 Should your tip lead to an arrest, apprehension or prevention of a crime, you may be eligible for a cash reward up to 1,000 Dollars
CCR: 90-010906
Date Reported: July 31, 1990
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

CCR: 04-01590
Date Reported: January 19, 2004
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Hugo Cabrera
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 3815 La Homita Rd
Mission TX, 78572
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office

CCR: 03-31820
Date Reported: December 31, 2003
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

CCR: 14-24315
Date Reported: June 11, 2014
VICTIM DETAILS
Name John Doe 4
Gender Unknown
Race Unknown
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unkown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 2419 Melissa
Weslaco Texas, 78596
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sherriff's Office

CCR: 94-022142
Date Reported: April 2, 1994
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Orlando Aguirre
Age 26
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1/4 W. 2 1/2 W
Mission Texas, 78574
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office

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