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: 01-25146
Date Reported: November 18, 2001
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Maria Oralia Castro
Age 60
Gender Female
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1/2 Mile East of Filegoria West on Monte Alto
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office

CCR: 02-12257
Date Reported: May 21, 2002
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Servando Garcia
Age 49
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Beaten/Battered
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location S. Minnesota Rd on Cesar Chavez Rd
San Juan Texas, 78589
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office

CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: September 26, 1988
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

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.
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: 88-13724
Date Reported: August 14, 1988
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Unknown
Gender Unknown
Race Unknown
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Unknown
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1/2 mile north of Balli on Steward Rd.
L.E.A Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office

CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: September 16, 1976
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Isidro Limon Jr.
Age 23
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Missing Person (Presumed Murdered)
Cause Unknown
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1000 Block S. Nebraska
Weslaco Texas, 78596
Hidalgo County
L.E.A Weslaco Police Department

Cold Case Spotlight

Height and Weight: 5'6, 124 pounds Isidro Limon, Jr., age 23 at the time of his disappearance, had left the home of his girlfriend on South Nebraska, headed in the alleyway, north, to his home on Plaza Street. He never made it home. Relatives believe that enemies of Isidro may have had reason to harm him regarding certain "business dealings" or his past relationships with women. Distinguishing Characteristics: Hispanic male. Brown hair, brown eyes. Limon has a one-inch scar on the back of his head. His left ear is pierced. Limon has a widow's peak hairline. He has a tattoo on one of his hands between his thumb and forefinger of the phrase "I Love You Joyce." Limon has a tattoo of his nickname, EZ, above his left knee that is created by a series of dots and connecting lines. He may have a goatee. Medical Conditions: Limon has been diagnosed with Hepatitis C. He has a spinal deformity that causes him to appear slightly hunchbacked and have a unique walk.
CCR: 00-16539
Date Reported: September 18, 2000
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Yolonda Jackson
Gender Female
Race Caucasian/White
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location East on Mile 8 North
Mercedes Texas, 78570
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office

CCR: 02-10891
Date Reported: May 6, 2002
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Rebecca Escobar
Gender Female
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location SE corner if Alberta & Valverde Rd.
Donna Texas, 78537
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office

CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: March 23, 2016
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Lourdes Elizondo
Age 33
Gender Female
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 200th block of Ebony Court and Farm-To-Market Road 755
Rio Grande City Texas, 78582
Starr County
L.E.A Rio Grande City Police Department

Cold Case Spotlight

Very little information regarding motive has been released since the discovery of two Rio Grande City ISD employees, Wednesday morning, March 23, 2016. The victims, identified as Oneida Alanis Balderas Garza and Lourdes M. Elizondo(Luna) were found bound, and shot in the head “execution style,” this according to from Law Enforcement officials, who arrived on scene shortly after 9:30 a.m.
CCR: 11-24868
Date Reported: June 14, 2011
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Manuel Alberto Luna
Age 28
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unkown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location FM 2812
Edinburg Texas, 78541
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sherriff's Office