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: 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: 02-01918
Date Reported: January 25, 2002
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Jaime Viacobo
Age 44
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Ruben Villareal
Offense Murder
Cause Beaten/Battered
Location Mission, Tx
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location FM 493 on Mile 10 1/2 Rd.
Donna Texas, 78537
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo CO. Sherriff's Office
CCR: 17-29602
Date Reported: July 26, 2017
VICTIM DETAILS
Name John Doe 12
Gender Female
Race Unknown
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Aristeo Garcia Cervantes
Offense Murder
Cause Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Arrest Made
Incident location 8029 Dallas St.
Edcouch Texas, 78538
Hidalgo
L.E.A HCSO

Cold Case Spotlight

Hidalgo County Sheriff Eddie Guerra announced Thursday that a 40-year-old Edcouch man recently confessed to killing a woman and dumping her body in a septic tank. Aristeo Garcia Cervantes, 40, of Edcouch confessed to killing a woman and hiding her body in a septic tank, Guerra said Thursday morning during a news conference at the Sheriff’s Office. Cervantes said he killed the woman roughly 10 to 12 years ago and didn’t remember her name, Guerra said, adding that investigators believe the murder occurred in 2004... The Sheriff’s Office started investigating the murder on July 26, 2017, when someone called to report human remains in a septic tank, Guerra said. Investigators went to a home near Edcouch, where Cervantes’ daughter and her boyfriend said they’d been having problems with the septic tank. When the boyfriend and another man attempted to fix the problem, they found a woman’s boot in the septic tank, Guerra said. After they removed the boot, they found a large bone — and called the Sheriff’s Office. Investigators sent the body to a private forensic lab in Virginia for DNA testing, Guerra said. The Sheriff’s Office researched missing women and welfare concerns during the time period, attempting to identify the woman. Investigators are currently talking with a family.
CCR: 92-3426
Date Reported: February 21, 1992
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Unknown
Gender Unknown
Race Unknown
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Unknown
Location unkown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 3 1/2 miles North of FM1925on Walice Rd
L.E.A Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office
CCR: 96-24404
Date Reported: August 24, 1996
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Unknown
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Beaten/Battered
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1/4 south of Fm 2221 on Iowa Rd
Mission Tx, 78574
L.E.A Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office
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: 94-15848
Date Reported: June 18, 1994
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Alonso Garcia Ayala
Age 32
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 2 miles N SH 107 on FM 1425
Edcouch Texas, 78538
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office
CCR: 92-11150
Date Reported: May 25, 1992
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Jesus J. Sosa
Age 37
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1/4 North of Exp. 83 on Valverde Rd.
Donna Texas, 78537
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sherriff's Office
CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: November 10, 2006
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Luis Fernando De Leon
Age 41
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1615 West Expressway 83 in Pharr.
Pharr Texas, 78577
Hidalgo
L.E.A Pharr Police Department

Cold Case Spotlight

The 41-year-old man was found in a field on a slab of concrete on November 10, 2006, when a driver passing through the area noticed something and flagged down a patrol officer with the Pharr Police Department. De Leon was discovered at approximately 12:38 p.m. at 1615 West Expressway 83 in Pharr. The teacher was found with a gunshot wound to his head, his hands tied behind his back, and his feet bound by a belt, according to the Pharr Police Department. Investigators found no form of struggle at the location, however, they believe that De Leon was not murdered at the field but left thereafter. Authorities do not believe that De Leon’s murder was drug-related. An autopsy later revealed De Leon had blunt force trauma to his “head, neck, and upper chest area.” De Leon was reported missing by his mother later that day at approximately 6:10 p.m., just hours after authorities discovered his body. Officials visited the De Leon residence and confirmed with the mother that her son had been murdered. According to the Pharr Police Department, Investigators currently have no leads. This investigation is ongoing. If you have any information on this case, please call The Pharr Crime Stoppers at (956)-787-8477.
CCR: 13-55130
Date Reported: October 25, 2013
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Jolissa "Socorro" Rangel
Age 20
Gender Female
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name 3 Unknown Suspects
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1702 S Closner Blvd
Edinburg Texas, 78539
Hidalgo County
L.E.A Edinburg Police Department

Cold Case Spotlight

On Friday, October 25, 2013, around 9:30 pm Jolissa ‘Socorro” Rangel a 20-year-old female was found shot to death inside her apartment located 2400 block of Kimberly Lane in Edinburg, Texas with a gunshot wound to her heart. Rangel lived with her 2-year-old son and her sister. No justice, No Peace! The family is offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 to any person who provides information that leads to the arrest of the person/persons responsible for the murder of Jolissa Rangel.