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

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VICTIM DETAILS

Name	Michael Flores
Age	15
Gender	Male
Race	Hispanic/Latino

SUSPECT DETAILS

Name	Unknown
Offense	Murder
Cause	Gun/Firearm
Location	Unknown

CASE DETAILS

Status	Unsolved
Incident location	201 Forrest Street Rio Hondo Texas, 78583 Cameron County
L.E.A	Rio Honodo Police Department

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Cold Case Spotlight

On September 26, 1988, at approximately 9:30 PM, Michael Flores returned to his home, 201 Forrest Street in Rio Hondo, after attending band practice. Michael went into his bedroom and began listening to the radio. The occupants of the home heard a gunshot and went to Michael’s bedroom. They found Michael in his bedroom slumped over with a gunshot wound. The shot came from outside the bedroom and struck Michael. Michael was pronounced dead at the scene. No Justice. No Peace.

VICTIM DETAILS

Name	Nora Conde Villalobos
Age	49
Gender	Female
Race	Hispanic/Latino

SUSPECT DETAILS

Name	Juan Manuel Tobias
Offense	Murder
Cause	Unknown

CASE DETAILS

Status	Arrest Made
Incident location	FM 1015 and Nittler Road Hidalgo
L.E.A	Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office

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Cold Case Spotlight

While many take the time on Veterans Day to honor those who served, one Valley family continues seeking justice for their beloved veteran. Army veteran Nora Conde Villalobos was only 49 years old when her body was discovered in a canal off FM 1015 and Nittler Road in Hidalgo County in 2017. The discovery prompted the arrest of her boyfriend, Juan Manuel Tobias, on murder charges. More than four years later, her family continues fighting for justice, adding that days like today bring back memories of their beloved veteran. "Her laugh— it was a contagious laugh. You knew that laugh anywhere," said Michelle Rodriguez-Zamarron, Villalobos' niece. "She didn't care who you were. She didn't care about your past. She didn't care if you had money. She didn't care if you were walking off the street. She treated you like anybody else." Rodriguez-Zamarron says her aunt was the kind of person who made everyone feel like they mattered. "We've always wanted from the beginning is just justice," Rodriguez-Zamarron. "Justice on her behalf since she is no longer here. We, as her family, will continue advocating for her." Rodriguez-Zamarron says the family stays strong by focusing on the positive and remembering the sacrifices Villalobos and all veterans made. "Her memory lives on every day," Rodriguez-Zamarron. "Just because she's gone, she's not forgotten. Today is just another day that we honor her and every veteran out there that gave selflessly, enlisted, and served our country." country."

VICTIM DETAILS

Name	Reynaldo Castaneda
Age	52
Gender	Male
Race	Hispanic/Latino

SUSPECT DETAILS

Name	Unknown
Offense	Murder
Cause	Blunt Force
Location	Unknown

CASE DETAILS

Status	Unsolved
Incident location	Mile 10 N and Mile 1 W Mercedes Texas, 78570 Hidalgo
L.E.A	Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office

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Cold Case Spotlight

When deputies arrived, they discovered the bodies of 52-year-old Reynaldo Castaneda and 74-year-old Alberto Castaneda. Newspaper archives indicate that the men were a father and his son. 74-year-old, Alberto Castaneda At the time, authorities said there was clear evidence of foul play. In January 2021 the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office asked anyone with information about the double homicide to come forward.

VICTIM DETAILS

Name	Nina McCumber
Gender	Female
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

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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

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VICTIM DETAILS

Name	Joseph Michael Escobedo
Age	23
Gender	Male
Race	Hispanic/Latino

SUSPECT DETAILS

Name	Unknown
Offense	Murder
Cause	Gun/Firearm
Location	Unknown

CASE DETAILS

Status	Unsolved
Incident location	Schmoker Road Harlingen Texas, 78550 Cameron
L.E.A	Cameron County Sheriff's Office

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Cold Case Spotlight

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Always chosen for jury duty, a man went missing days before trial. His family searched across borders when his body was discovered shot multiple times in a canal. Three decades later, the murder of Joseph Michael Escobedo remains unsolved. Escobedo was a student at Texas Southmost College and a member of the Knights of Columbus, with ambitions to possibly become a teacher, according to reports at the time. The 23-year-old man said goodbye to his family for the last time as he headed out the door for a night out on January 2, 1992. The next day, Escobedo’s parents noticed their son’s absence as his bedroom seemed untouched. Growing concerned following a call from Escobedo’s boss stating he had not arrived for his shift, his father began a search. Escobedo’s father searched jails and police stations in Harlingen, Brownsville, South Padre Island, Reynosa, and even Matamoros. However, there was no trace. After waiting 24-hours, the Escobedos filed an official missing person report with the Brownsville Police Department. On January 4, 1992, Escobedo’s “bullet-riddled” body was discovered that same afternoon in a canal along Schmoker Road, outside Harlingen city limits near Valley International Airport, according to the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities said Escobedo was shot eight times with two different weapons. Investigators spoke with Escobedo’s friends who claimed that they last saw him leaning against a car in the parking lot at the Genesis nightclub in Brownsville. Police were not able to determine whether he left by himself or whether someone picked him up. Feeling like they took a “part of [her] heart out,” Escobedo’s mother explained to investigators that her son was a good citizen. Emphasizing how much he enjoyed jury duty, as it was one of his “favorite hobbies.” The mother told reporters with the Valley Morning Star at the time that Escobedo was actually expected in court within days of his disappearance and murder. Escobedo was set to attend the trial of a county case on January 6, 1992. Lieutenant Ernesto Flores with the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office told reporters at the time that they could not find a motive. Adding that Escobedo “had a lot of friends, but few enemies.” In their son’s memory, the Escobedos planted a white rose bush under Michael’s bedroom window shortly after his death. Escobedo’s mother shared that she takes the roses that have blossomed to his grave. This case remains an open investigation. Individuals with any information on this case are asked to call the Cameron County Crime Stoppers at their hotline: (866)-350-5551 or (956)-350-5551.

VICTIM DETAILS

Name	Unknown
Gender	Unknown
Race	Unknown

SUSPECT DETAILS

Name	Unknown
Offense	Murder
Cause	Unknown
Location	Unknown

CASE DETAILS

Status	Unsolved
Incident location	west of Iowa road
L.E.A	Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office

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VICTIM DETAILS

Name	Maria Marisella Gonzalez
Gender	Female
Race	Hispanic/Latino

SUSPECT DETAILS

Name	Unknown
Offense	Murder
Cause	Blunt Force
Location	Unknown

CASE DETAILS

Status	Unsolved
Incident location	Hudson Road San Benito Texas, 78586 Cameron
L.E.A	Cameron County Sheriff's Office

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Cold Case Spotlight

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) – A woman well known by the community disappeared with no trace only for her flesh-eaten body to be discovered days later in a resaca, leaving authorities with no leads. 23 years later, the murder of Maria Marisella Gonzalez remains unsolved. Also known as “Marcie,” Gonzalez was a dancer at Crazy Horse Topless Bar. Gonzalez was last seen spending time in Harlingen’s La Placita district on June 8, 1998. Witnesses told authorities that Gonzalez was seen entering a vehicle with a man. The dancer was discovered dead in a resaca near Hudson Road outside San Benito on June 14, 1998, according to the Cameron County Sheriffs’ Office. Gonzalez’s body was found with multiple skull and facial fractures with her face flesh eaten away by “whatever lies in the murky waters.” The 35-year-old woman was identified as “Marcie” through her clothing, jewelry, and the tattoo of a rose on her right shoulder. According to an autopsy report released at the time, Gonzalez’s cause of death was determined to be three blows to the head and face delivered with a blunt object. Preliminary pathology reports ruled her death as a homicide. CCSO Investigator at the time Domingo Diaz told reporters that the agency has questioned all of Gonzalez’s acquaintances but had no leads. Diaz stated that he was sure that “someone saw… something.” As a rise in murders spiked during the time of Gonzalez’s death, reporters spoke with other county officials. Hidalgo County District Attorney Rene Guerra emphasized the importance of witnesses, stating murders like Gonzalez’s, that lack witnesses tend to go unsolved. This case remains an open investigation. Individuals with any information on this case are asked to call the Cameron County Crime Stoppers at their hotline: (866)-350-5551 or (956)-350-5551.

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

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