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: 12-20528
Date Reported: May 23, 2012
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Nora Lee Garcia
Age 37
Gender Female
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Miguel Garcia
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location United States
CASE DETAILS
Status Arrest Made
Incident location 10305 Ramon Ave.
Mission Texas, 78572
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sherriff's Office
CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: October 9, 1984
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Kim Sue Leggett
Age 21
Gender Female
Race Caucasian/White
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Missing Person (Presumed Murdered)
Cause Other
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 2364 Mile 12 N.
Ross Cotton Gin
Mercedes Texas, 78570
Hidalgo County
L.E.A Mercedes Police Department

Cold Case Spotlight

On 10-09-1984 between 4:30 PM and 4:45 PM, 21-year-old Kim Sue LEGGETT was abducted from the Ross Cotton Gin in Mercedes, Texas, where she worked as a secretary. Mrs. LEGGETT was last seen in the company of two unknown males. Mrs. LEGGETT's father received a ransom telephone call from an unidentified male within a few minutes of her kip/abduction. A few days later, her mother and father received another ransom letter via mail. Neither the telephone call or the message was followed up by the kidnappers. Mercedes Law Enforcement investigators presume that Mrs. LEGGETT was murdered by her kidnappers and her body has never been recovered. Mrs. LEGGETT left behind her husband and a young son along with her immediate family. She has Blonde hair, blue eyes. Leggett has a scar on her chin. Her both ears are pierced. No Justice. No Peace.
CCR: 01-29165
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Hector H Camacho
Age 49
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location Alberta Rd. & Tower Rd.
Edinburg Texas, 78539
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office

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: 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: 11-07606
Date Reported: February 24, 2011
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Juan Antonio Flores
Age 47
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 7610 Wagon Trail
Mission Texas, 78574
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office

CCR: 89-12766
Date Reported: August 14, 1989
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Jesus Manuel Gonzalez
Age 28
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1/4 Mile E of FM 3071 on SH 107
Elsa Texas, 78538
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office

CCR: 93-6128
Date Reported: March 13, 1993
VICTIM DETAILS
Name LaVern Cross
Age 73
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Offense Hit and Run
Cause Beaten/Battered
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location S/W Corner of Chapin Rd
Edinburg Texas, 78539
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. 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

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