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: 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: 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.
CCR: 91-2243
Date Reported: February 12, 1991
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Jesus Cantu
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1/2 Mile S. of Ingle Rd on U.S. 281 E. side
Edinburg TX, 78539
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office

3 decades have passed and Jesus Cantu's murder is still unsolved with very little information. 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: 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: 06-22986
Date Reported: July 3, 2006
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Juan Alvarado
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: 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: 91-17048
Date Reported: October 5, 1991
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Juan Betancourt
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Knife/Stabbing
Location unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1/8 mile south of Curve Rd.
Edinburg Texas, 78542
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office

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