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: 88-20798
Date Reported: December 16, 1988
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Charles McCumber
Gender Male
Race Caucasian/White
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location E. of Mile 2 1/2 E. Mile 6 3/4 N.
Mercedes Texas, 78570
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office
CCR: 15-48120
Date Reported: December 2, 2015
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Patricia Aevedo Chavez
Gender Female
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 12927 Santawan
Mercedes Texas, 78570
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sherriff's Office
Patricia A. Chavez was fatally shot in her home on December 2nd, 2015 at approximately 8:50 pm in Mercedes, Texas.
CCR: Unknown
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Juan Elias Ramirez
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name "Border Bandits"
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location Brownsville Texas, 78520
Cameron
L.E.A Brownsville Police Dept.

Cold Case Spotlight

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The murder of a small business owner believed to have been robbed and killed by the “border bandits,” remains unsolved 28 years later. On March 26, 1993, at around 8 a.m., the body of Juan Elias Ramirez was found by the Brownsville Public Utilities water plant. Juan Elias Ramirez was the owner of a local store that was known for selling sodas and chips in Matamoros. Ramirez’s body was discovered with a single gunshot in the back, authorities believe that the gun was a 9mm handgun. Officials told reporters there were signs of robbery. Additionally, investigators reported to the Valley Morning Star there were indications that Ramirez’s murder was connected to the “Border Bandits.” Ramirez was considered the second victim to be killed by the so-called “border bandits” within the same two-weeks. However, no substantial leads or information was revealed, according to the Cameron County Sheriffs Office. 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: 15-46472
Date Reported: November 19, 2015
VICTIM DETAILS
Name John Doe 3
Gender Unknown
Race Unknown
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 3105 Fresa
Mission Texas, 78572
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: 99-5930
Date Reported: April 6, 1999
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Rogelio Riojas
Age 43
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Knife/Stabbing
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 2nd mobile home E. of 6 1/2
Weslaco Texas, 78596
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office
CCR: 90-010906
Date Reported: July 31, 1990
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Unknown
Gender Male
Race Caucasian/White
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Unknown
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1 mile North of Radio Rd on Mccoll East side
L.E.A Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office
CCR: 16-33304
Date Reported: August 16, 2016
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Alejandra Ornelas
Age 25
Gender Female
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Suspicious Death
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location Rt. 1 Boz 52C (21/2 Miles N. Cesar Charvez)
Materiales Cazares
Alamo Texas, 78516
Hidalgo County
L.E.A Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office

Cold Case Spotlight

On August 16, 2016 Hidalgo County Sheriffs Office Investigators were call to 1400 block of Cesar Chavez to identified Alejandra Ornelas 25-year-old woman found dead Tuesday in San Juan. The Dr. Farely's Autopsy Report concludes by saying undetermined. "The scene contained forensic evidences, Identify it, Collect it, and Preserve it, and it will speak for the dead.” None of this was done properly. No Justice. No Peace.
CCR: 04-34655
Date Reported: December 21, 2004
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Jose Munoz
Age 33
Gender Male
Race Caucasian/White
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 6 3/4 N. Inspiration Rd
Mission Texas, 78572
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sherriff'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.