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: 05-20114
Date Reported: June 27, 2005
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Heriberto Ahumada
Age 36
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1/3 S. 4 Mile Line on Moorefield Rd.
Mission Texas , 78503
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office

Heriberto was murdered late morning on June 27th, 2005. His memory forever lives in our hearts and mind. 15 years and nothing has been done to find the person who did this. No Justice, No Peace.
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: 08-37325
Date Reported: September 25, 2208
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Eugenio Morales
Age 77
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Suspicious Death
Cause Unknown
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location E. Steward Rd. on Old 7 Mile Line
Mission TX, 78572
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office

Cold Case Spotlight

Eugenio Morales, 77, was called to his heavenly home by the Lord on Thursday, September 25, 2008 in Mission, Texas. Mr. Morales was born to Franco Lucio and Tomasa Morales on November 15, 1930 in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Left to cherish his loving memory is his wife, Manuela Morales of McAllen; his sons, Tomas (Diana) Morales, Eugenio Morales Jr., and Jose Simon Morales all of McAllen; his daughters, Teresa (Felix) Trevino, Irene Morales, Martha Morales, Elia Morales and Gloria Morales Hinojosa, all of McAllen. Also left to cherish his memory is his sister, Victorina Morales; along with twenty-four grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren.
CCR: 06-22986
Date Reported: July 3, 2006
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Ranulfo Gaharez
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location South of Bus 83 on Scott Lane West on Daniel
Mission TX, 78572
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office

CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: April 18, 2006
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Merardo Magana Garza
Age 63
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location West
Los Ebanos Texas`, 78565
Hidalgo
L.E.A unknown

Cold Case Spotlight

Merardo Magana Garza was lovingly known as “Tano.” He was adored by many in the city of Mission and was known to be a sharp dresser and a ladies' man. The 63-year-old father was found dead on April 18, 2006 west of Los Ebanos. According to Chavez, at the time investigators could not determine Garza’s cause of death. “Officials were unable to see or say how he died because his body was burned and decomposed,” said Chavez. “But, it was ruled as a homicide, the cause is just undetermined.” Garza still had his jewelry when officials found him, according to Chavez... Chavez said investigators have been unable to reach out to family members for new leads and investigators have no trace of the immediate family. ValleyCentral located his obituary, which said Garza was married with children.
CCR: 90-10085
Date Reported: July 12, 1990
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Irenino Salinas Alonzo
Gender Male
Race Caucasian/White
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Unknown
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1 3/10 south of mile 5N on mile 9 west
L.E.A Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office

CCR: 92-23522
Date Reported: October 19, 1992
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Unknown
Gender Unknown
Race Unknown
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Unknown
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location south side of bus. 83 on Hutto Rd.
L.E.A Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office

CCR: 89-08624
Date Reported: June 2, 1989
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Juan Jose Marquez
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1/10 Mile S. of Rancho Toluca Rd. on Mile 3
Weslaco Texas, 78596
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sherriff'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: 12-13023
Date Reported: April 3, 2012
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Sandra Alcazar
Gender Female
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 10680 N. La Homa
Mission TX, 78572
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office