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: 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: 13-03653
Date Reported: January 29, 2013
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Dora Elia Gaitan
Gender Female
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 802 Church
San Juan Texas, 78589
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo CO. Sherriff's Office

Dora Elia Gaitan was fatally shot in her home in San Juan, Texas on January 29th, 2013.
CCR: 02-15529
Date Reported: June 27, 2002
VICTIM DETAILS
Name John Doe 13
Gender Unknown
Race Unknown
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location w. Iowa Rd on 5 mile line
Mission Texas, 78503
Hidalgo
L.E.A HCSO

CCR: 12-13023
Date Reported: April 3, 2012
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Sandra Alcazar
Gender Female
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 10680 N. La Homa
Mission TX, 78572
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office

CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: August 12, 2008
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Manuel Olivarez Jr.
Age 42
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Missing Person (Presumed Murdered)
Cause Unknown
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location Unknown
Rio Grande City TX, 78582
Starr
L.E.A Starr County Sheriff's Office

According to law enforcement sources Manuel was kidnaped possibly from Rio Grande City area during the day in 12-08-2008. As time passes, the investigation leads become fewer. Leads are essential in helping solve a missing person’s case. Do not be afraid to get involved, should know something about this case you can call a Tip Line anonymously with information. Any Tip on evidence or information - regardless you think is significant or not – you should be reported. “If You See Something, Say Something" and submit a Tip Online at https://www.fbi.gov/tips
CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: June 16, 2011
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Roman Ramirez Jr.
Age 22
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location Starr County
L.E.A Starr County Sheriff's Office

Cold Case Spotlight

Investigators with the Starr County Special Crimes unit worked lead after lead trying to figure out who murdered Roman Ramirez, Jr. But starting with the New Year, those leads have gone cold. Investigators told Action 4 News that its TMs been a seven long months of chasing leads that went nowhere. Months of unanswered questions have also taken their toll on the family. Ramirez was shot and left for dead on the side of La Blanca Road in the Guerra Garza Subdivision on a sunny June 2011 afternoon. Investigators said it was an area that Ramirez would frequently travel walking up and down La Blanca Road. They said with no witnesses coming forward, their investigation has come to a standstill. Authorities are hoping a cash reward will bring someone forward someone who can help bring closure to a grieving family. Starr County Sheriff TMs Office Investigator David Ibarra spoke to Action 4 News about the case. His family reaches out to us on a regular basis, Ibarra said. We’d really like to help them out by putting the person or persons responsible behind bars.”
CCR: 06-22986
Date Reported: July 3, 2006
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Ranulfo Gaharez
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: 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
Date Reported: May 12, 2005
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Alberto Castaneda
Age 74
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.