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: 14-38057
Date Reported: September 15, 2014
VICTIM DETAILS
Name John Doe 1
Gender Unknown
Race Unknown
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 8800 Tex-Mex
Edinburg Texas, 78539
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sherriff's Office

CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: September 16, 1976
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Isidro Limon Jr.
Age 23
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Missing Person (Presumed Murdered)
Cause Unknown
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1000 Block S. Nebraska
Weslaco Texas, 78596
Hidalgo County
L.E.A Weslaco Police Department

Cold Case Spotlight

Height and Weight: 5'6, 124 pounds Isidro Limon, Jr., age 23 at the time of his disappearance, had left the home of his girlfriend on South Nebraska, headed in the alleyway, north, to his home on Plaza Street. He never made it home. Relatives believe that enemies of Isidro may have had reason to harm him regarding certain "business dealings" or his past relationships with women. Distinguishing Characteristics: Hispanic male. Brown hair, brown eyes. Limon has a one-inch scar on the back of his head. His left ear is pierced. Limon has a widow's peak hairline. He has a tattoo on one of his hands between his thumb and forefinger of the phrase "I Love You Joyce." Limon has a tattoo of his nickname, EZ, above his left knee that is created by a series of dots and connecting lines. He may have a goatee. Medical Conditions: Limon has been diagnosed with Hepatitis C. He has a spinal deformity that causes him to appear slightly hunchbacked and have a unique walk.
CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: November 5, 2008
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Rudy Ramos Benitez
Age 27
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name 2 Unknown
Offense Missing Person (Presumed Murdered)
Cause Unknown
Location 2 Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 2505 South Georgia
Weslaco Texas, 78596
Hidalgo County
L.E.A Weslaco Police Department

Cold Case Spotlight

Mr. Benitez is traveling in a green Dodge Ram pickup truck. Rudy is 5'3 - 5'6, 120 - 150 pounds at the time of missing he was wearing a black polo shirt with horizontal purple stripes, blue jeans, and sneakers. He has Brown hair, green/hazel eyes. Benitez has the following tattoos: the name "Angie" or "Angel" on his left bicep, his last name "Benitez" across his abdomen, and the name "Virginia" or "Kina" on the left side of his chest over his heart. His nickname is Woodeye. Benitez bites his nails, and they are very short as a result. Mr. Benitez Sr. waited seven years, to petition and officially pronounced his death. His father Rudy Sr. was a great advocate for his son, and we will continue his legacy and will fight for justice and seek answers for Rudy. The family wants to know what happened to Rudy and where is his body for the sake of his surviving children, mother, and family members.
CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: December 21, 1989
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Efrain Garcia Villarreal
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
L.E.A Cameron County Sheriff's Dept

Cold Case Spotlight

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A night out takes a turn for the worse after a man’s body was discovered beaten the morning after. 32 years later, Efrain Garcia Villarreal’s murder remains unsolved with no arrests. Villarreal was last seen on December 21, 1989, around 2 a.m. at the Taconazo Bar located in Cameron Park. According to the Cameron County Sheriffs Office, Villarreal was reported to have last been seen with a man known as “El Shorre” or the “Short One.” As the night came to an end and a new day began, Villareal’s body was found on Salida Del Sol Road. The investigation revealed that Villareal had been beaten to death with a heavy type of object that was used to strike him several times. Reporters at the time attempted to contact the Cameron County Sheriffs Office for more information but were not successful. This investigation remains active. 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: 04-27413
Date Reported: October 9, 2004
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Donald Gary Hargett
Age 61
Gender Male
Race Caucasian/White
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location P.O. Box 289
Linn Texas, 78563
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sherriff's Office

CCR: 88-6941
Date Reported: April 23, 1988
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Hector Alaniz
Age 24
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location Jackson & FM 1925
Edinburg Texas, 78539
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office

CCR: 03-31820
Date Reported: December 31, 2003
VICTIM DETAILS
Name John Doe 6
Gender Male
Race Caucasian/White
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Arrest Made
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: 94-7592
Date Reported: March 26, 1994
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Unknown
Gender Male
Race Unknown
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Unknown
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location about 3 miles South of Bus.83 on Valley View Rd
L.E.A Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office

CCR: 91-2243
Date Reported: February 12, 1991
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Jesus Cantu
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1/2 Mile S. of Ingle Rd on U.S. 281 E. side
Edinburg TX, 78539
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office

3 decades have passed and Jesus Cantu's murder is still unsolved with very little information. No Justice, No Peace.
CCR: 02-25785
Date Reported: October 18, 2002
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Charles l. Berny
Age 72
Gender Male
Race Caucasian/White
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location S. Canton Rd. on Tower Rd.
Edinburg Texas, 78542
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo CO. Sherriff's Office

Cold Case Spotlight

EDINBURG - Charles "Bud" L. Berny, 72, died, Friday, October 18, 2002, at his residence in Edinburg. He was born June 22, 1930 in Edinburg, Texas. Bud graduated from Edinburg High School and Edinburg Jr. College. He farmed with his father until his father's death where he continued on his own until retirement about two years ago.