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: 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: 14-45067
Date Reported: November 4, 2014
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Roy Vela Cantu
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 4815 MILE 9
McAllen Texas, 78501
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sherriff's Office

Roy Vela Cantu was fatally shot on November 4th, 2014 on Mile 9 in McAllen Texas.
CCR: 92-11150
Date Reported: May 25, 1992
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Jesus J. Sosa
Age 37
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1/4 North of Exp. 83 on Valverde Rd.
Donna Texas, 78537
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sherriff's Office

CCR: 14-38057
Date Reported: September 15, 2014
VICTIM DETAILS
Name John Doe 1
Gender Unknown
Race Unknown
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 8800 Tex-Mex
Edinburg Texas, 78539
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sherriff's Office

CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: May 12, 2005
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

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.
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
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

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."
CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: December 23, 2008
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Walton 'Pinky" Sanchez
Age 48
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location Joanna Avenue and 22nd Street
Mission Texas, 78572
Hidalgo County
L.E.A Mission Police Department

Cold Case Spotlight

According to his sister Liz Garza, his brother Pinky was fatally shot outside a neighbor's house Tuesday while he was drinking beer with a friend. Walton "Pinky" Sanchez, 48, was sitting under a carport at the corner of Joanna Avenue and 22nd Street when a COPPER car pulled up and the driver called him over. Sanchez approach the vehicle had a brief conversation with someone inside and then was fatally shot in the chest. Police and friends suspect Sanchez knew his assailant(s). He was born July 8, 1960, the baby of the family who grew up playing baseball like his father, Eduardo Sanchez, had before him. His father also had a knack for acquiring nicknames, as he was known as “El Zurdo” in addition to “Lefty.” The case remains unsolved. No Justice. No Peace.
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: 03-7374
Date Reported: April 1, 2003
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Norma Alvarez
Gender Female
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Unknown
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 8 1/2 north Bentsen Palm drive
L.E.A Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office