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: 12-24556
Date Reported: June 20, 2012
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Rodolfo Garza Perez
Age 47
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 21402 N. Skinner Rd
Edinburg Texas, 78539
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sherriff's Office

Cold Case Spotlight

CCR: 11-39412
Date Reported: September 18, 2011
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Elias Alvarado
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location San Bernardino Dr.
Alamo Texas, 78516
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's 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: 01-14798
Date Reported: June 1, 2001
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Ricardo "Ricky" Mejia
Age 22
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location N. Sugar RD/W. Minnesota RD
Pharr Texas, 78577
Hidalgo County
L.E.A Pharr Police Department

Cold Case Spotlight

The murder of Ricardo "Ricky" Mejia, 22, a third-year business student at the University of Texas-Pan American and was from Laredo Texas. Ricky was in a fraternity and involved at the local church. He had two roommates from Pharr, Texas. He was last seen at a McAllen nightclub Thursday night on May 31, 2001. Ricky was found more than 24 hours later north of Pharr on a dirt road located in between two orange groves Saturday morning located of Sugar and Owassa Road. Ricky was shot once in the chest with a handgun. No Justice, No Peace.
CCR: 12-24516
Date Reported: June 20, 2012
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Cesar Villarreal
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 4119 N. Benston Palm Rd.
Mission Texas, 78574
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office
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: 12-13023
Date Reported: April 3, 2012
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Sandra Alcazar
Gender Female
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 10680 N. La Homa
Mission TX, 78572
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office
CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: September 6, 1988
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

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.
CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: May 7, 2003
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Gregory Allen Meredith
Age 43
Gender Male
Race Caucasian/White
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location Old Port Isabel Road and Highway 100
Cameron County
L.E.A Cameron Country Sheriff's Office

Cold Case Spotlight

CAMERON COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Murder remains unsolved after 18 years since a body of an almost unidentifiable body was discovered in a canal. Gregory Allen Meredith, 43, body was discovered floating in a canal by a fisherman on May 7, 2003. Cameron County Sheriffs deputies responded to the scene located along Old Port Isabel Road and Highway 100 at 6:45 p.m. Deputies responded after receiving a call from the Laguna Vista Police Department. Officials could not immediately identify Meredith’s body due to severe water damage as well as the fact that his teeth had all been removed, making it impossible to check dental records. Meredith’s body was believed to have been in the canal for two to three days. Meredith’s body was initially reported to have two gunshot wounds, one behind his ear and another at the base of his skull. A preliminary autopsy later revealed that Meredith had eight bullets lodged in his skull. Cameron County Sheriffs Spokeswoman at the time, Elizabeth Anguiano told Valley Morning Star reporters that Meredith was identified as the Federal Bureau of Investigation was able to “get two prints from him.” Fingerprints matched the criminal file of Gregory Allen Meredith out of Bastrop, located southeast of Austin. Authorities told reporters they did not believe the murder was the result of a robbery as Meredith had $115 dollars in his pocket. According to CCSO Meredith was believed to have been involved with a small organization that trafficked meth from Austin. CCSO does have a suspect, however, no arrests have been made. This investigation is ongoing. 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: 93-6243
Date Reported: March 14, 1993
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Benito Garza
Age 82
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Unknown
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location North of the radiostation on "I" road
L.E.A Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office