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: 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
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Alan E. Bossom
Age 34
Gender Male
Race Caucasian/White
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location Robindale Road and FM 3248
Brownsville Texas, 78520
Cameron
L.E.A Cameron Co. Sheriff's Office

Cold Case Spotlight

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (KVEO) — This month marked 31 years since the murder of Alan E. Bossom was discovered. After a long day, many people can relate to feeling sluggish while driving home, so when a passerby reported a man asleep at the wheel they did not think that the man could be found dead. On July 4, 1990, Alan E. Bossom was found dead at the wheel of a vehicle at the intersection of Robindale Road and FM 3248 in Brownsville. Bossom had been in town for a couple of days before being discovered murdered. Chief Deputy at the time, Carlos Tapia, reported what sheriff’s deputies had seen when having responded to the crime scene. Tapia stated “they found Bossom inside a 1977 Chevrolet station wagon, slumped over the steering wheel,” according to an article from the Valley Morning Star. Deputies believed the man was asleep, however, after further observation, it became clear that Bossom had been murdered. Bossom had suffered a gunshot wound to his head. He was officially pronounced dead at the scene by the Justice of the Peace at the time, Tony Torres. Investigation revealed that family members did not know he was in town. This investigation remains active and no arrests have been made.
CCR: 04-18832
Date Reported: July 17, 2004
VICTIM DETAILS
Name John Doe 9
Gender Male
Race Unknown
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Beaten/Battered
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location S. Mile 3 on FM 492
Palmview Texas, 78572
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office
CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: July 29, 2005
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Ruben “Yiyo” Tarin de Patino
Age 21
Gender Transgender
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Hit and Run
Cause Beaten/Battered
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location E. Wisconsin Rd.
Edinburg Texas, 78539
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office

Cold Case Spotlight

August marks 15 years since Ruben “Yiyo” Tarin de Patino was found murdered. Yiyo, 21, was found dead East of Wisconsin Road in the city of Edinburg in 2005. “He was found burned,” said Hermelinda Chavez with the Hidalgo County Major Crimes Unit. Yiyo was described by family and friends as confident and proud. “She was described as a person who didn’t like to hide her lifestyle,” said Chavez. “She was never ashamed of how she dressed and she was very outgoing with a lot of friends.” Yiyo was last seen by her mother on July 27. She had met several friends and her sister during the day and assisted another friend with car trouble. Yiyo came home and told her mother she was meeting yet another friend, this was around midnight. “She would visit a lot of nightclubs around the area, McAllen and Edinburg,” said Chavez. “She was not aggressive but definitely defended herself.” Chavez added all of the friends that Yiyo met on July 27 were interviewed and had alibis. Investigators and family never confirmed who she had met, according to Chavez. “Family never knew who she met, it was never confirmed,” said Chavez.
CCR: 04-34655
Date Reported: December 21, 2004
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Jose Munoz
Age 33
Gender Male
Race Caucasian/White
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 6 3/4 N. Inspiration Rd
Mission Texas, 78572
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sherriff's Office
CCR: 90-10085
Date Reported: July 12, 1990
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 3/10 south of mile 5
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office
CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: January 16, 2011
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Jose "Luis" Martinez Jr.
Age 14
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name 3 Suspects-Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 232 West Longoria Street
Pharr Texas, 78577
Hidalgo County
L.E.A Pharr Police Department

Cold Case Spotlight

Jose Luis Martinez Jr., 14, died with a fatal shot that hit his chest at about 11:31 p.m. on Jan. 16, 2011, during a drive-by shooting on the 200 block of West Longoria Street, according to the Police Department. Two of the bullets each struck relatives 27-year-old Christopher Lee Perez and 30-year-old Jodie Cristina Cross. The single gunshot, believed to have been fired from a .380-caliber pistol, took Jose Luis life. At least three suspected gang members shouted their group’s name — Loco Trece — as they sped away from the 200 block of West Longoria Drive about 11:30 p.m. Sunday. Witnesses at the scene described a red passenger vehicle, possibly a Honda, occupied by three to four subjects leaving the crime scene of the shooting westbound on Longoria street in Las Milpas (South Pharr), Texas.
CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: May 23, 1990
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Laura Guerra
Age 22
Gender Female
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1111 W. Main Street.
RIO MOTEL
Rio Grande City Texas, 78582
Starr County
L.E.A Starr County Sheriff's Office

Cold Case Spotlight

On May 23rd, 1990, the dead body of Laura Guerra,22, was found in a wooded area across the road from the Rio Motel in Rio Grande City. The RIO MOTEL is located at 1111 W. Main Street. Investigators believe that Guerra was murdered at another location, possibly at the motel, and that her body was dumped in the wooded area. Autopsy results indicate that Guerra was killed three days earlier by a gunshot wound to the head. Several clues were followed, but the case went cold. Texas Rangers and the Starr County Sheriff’s Office have reopened this case, and are seeking the public’s help for information to help identify Guerra’s killer. Investigators believe that a possible witness may have information on this crime, and are asking for the public’s help in identifying a person known in the area, in 1990, known as "Gaston Garza," or "Mariano".
CCR: 09-04019
Date Reported: January 30, 2009
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Andres Ruiz
Age 23
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location S. Mile 10 on La Homa Rd.
Alton Texas, 78573
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sherriff's Office
CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: October 18, 2017
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Rosvel Garza
Age 19
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Missing Person (Presumed Murdered)
Cause Unknown
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location La Sagunada Road near Farm-to-Market Road 755
Rio Grande City Texas, 78582
Starr County
L.E.A Starr County Sheriff’s Office

Cold Case Spotlight

The Starr County Sheriff’s Office along with Texas Rangers are asking for the public’s help in locating two missing brothers. On, Mario Alberto Garza, 17, and Rosvel Garza, 19 brothers were reported missing by their family. The two brothers were last seen by friends on October 18, 2017, in a gray Dodge Dakota extended cab pickup. Through the investigation, it was discovered that the vehicle, 2005 Dodge Dakota, was found abandoned and burnt in the woods near La Sagunada Road near Farm-to-Market Road 755. Anyone with information or knows the whereabouts of Mario Alberto Garza and Rosbel Garza are encouraged to contact the Starr County Sheriff’s Office at (956) 487-5571.