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: March 13, 1993
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Victoria Ybarra
Age 29
Gender Female
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location Kenyon Rd & Mile 19
Edinburg TX, 78539
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office

Cold Case Spotlight

Two decades have passed since a devoted mother of three was found dead in a field near the city of Edinburg. Her oldest daughter was only 7 years old at the time of her death. Victoria Ybarra was described as a beautiful 29-year-old who lived in Edinburg. But her death remains unsolved. The year was 1993. On March 13, two teenagers were driving around Kenyon Road and Mile 19 in the city of Edinburg. While hunting, the two boys discovered Ybarra’s body in a field and called authorities.
CCR: 03-18179
Date Reported: July 29, 2003
VICTIM DETAILS
Name John Doe 14
Gender Unknown
Race Unknown
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unkown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 8200 W. Exp. 83
Palmview Texas, 78572
Hidalgo
L.E.A HCSO
CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: January 8, 1973
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Candyce Fletcher-Mora
Age 23
Gender Female
Race Caucasian/White
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Louis Brewster
Offense Murder
Cause Knife/Stabbing
Location deceased
CASE DETAILS
Status Solved
Incident location 411 Lozano
Harlingen Texas, 78550
Cameron County
L.E.A Harlingen Police Department

Cold Case Spotlight

In the morning hours of January 8th, 1973, the dead body of Candyce Fletcher-Mora has discovered in her apartment located at 411 Lozano in Harlingen, Texas, in the North Star Village Apartments. The autopsy revealed that Candyce was stabbed numerous times. Candyce was the mother of a two-year-old daughter. Candyce's daughter was located unharmed inside the apartment where Candyce was murdered.
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: October 9, 1984
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Kim Sue Leggett
Age 21
Gender Female
Race Caucasian/White
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Missing Person (Presumed Murdered)
Cause Other
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 2364 Mile 12 N.
Ross Cotton Gin
Mercedes Texas, 78570
Hidalgo County
L.E.A Mercedes Police Department

Cold Case Spotlight

On 10-09-1984 between 4:30 PM and 4:45 PM, 21-year-old Kim Sue LEGGETT was abducted from the Ross Cotton Gin in Mercedes, Texas, where she worked as a secretary. Mrs. LEGGETT was last seen in the company of two unknown males. Mrs. LEGGETT's father received a ransom telephone call from an unidentified male within a few minutes of her kip/abduction. A few days later, her mother and father received another ransom letter via mail. Neither the telephone call or the message was followed up by the kidnappers. Mercedes Law Enforcement investigators presume that Mrs. LEGGETT was murdered by her kidnappers and her body has never been recovered. Mrs. LEGGETT left behind her husband and a young son along with her immediate family. She has Blonde hair, blue eyes. Leggett has a scar on her chin. Her both ears are pierced. No Justice. No Peace.
CCR: 98-01256
Date Reported: January 23, 1998
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Maria McKey
Gender Female
Race Caucasian/White
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location Val Verde Rd. & Business 83
Alamo Texas, 78516
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sherriff's Office
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
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: January 22, 1993
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Yolanda Moya
Age 33
Gender Female
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 824 Louisiana Ave.
Weslaco Texas, 78596
Hidalgo County
L.E.A Weslaco Police Department
Yolanda Moya was just 33 years-old who failed to report to work at Neunanas & Company local farm company in the early morning of January 22, 1993. A family member went to her new house located at 824 S. Louisiana Avenue looking for her. She was inside the home with a gunshot wound to her chin/neck area, and her body was half burned. She was doused in gasoline and set afire. No Justice. No Peace.
CCR: 17-06591
Date Reported: February 17, 2017
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Antonio Urbina Jr.
Age 62
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Knife/Stabbing
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location Country Road 3350 north of Farm-to-Market Road 1422
Monte alto Road Texas, 78538
Hidalgo County
L.E.A Hidalgo County Sheriff's Offfice
On February 16, 2017, in Edcouch Antonio Urbina Jr. an Army Veteran was found dead along the side of a Monte Alto road. Antonio Urbina Jr., 62, was found wearing jogging clothes, lying face up in a ditch on Country Road 3350 north of Farm-to-Market Road 1422 at approximately 10:40 a.m. Feb. 16, 2017.