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: August 21, 2011
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Antonio Villegas, Jr
Age 20
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Missing Person (Presumed Murdered)
Cause Undisclosed
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location Unknown
Mission Texas, 78572
Hidalgo County
L.E.A Mission Police Department

Cold Case Spotlight

Antonio "Tony" Villegas Jr. Age: 20 Years Old Height: 5'6" Weight: 175 lbs. Last seen: Went Missing on Sunday, August 21, 2011, in South Mission. He was last seen wearing a black shirt, khaki shorts, and White Nike Sneakers. He has tattoos, including one that says "Death Before Honor" on his calf. Villegas, 20, disappeared on Aug. 21, 2011, left his home around 4 a.m. and wasn’t seen or heard from again until 9 a.m. Investigators found the clothes of a man who may have been kidnapped by illegal immigrants in Mission. The search for 20-year-old Antonio Villegas, Jr. continues after he did not return to his home in Alton early this week. Mission police are investigating the case while authorities, family members and volunteers search an area of brush in a southern part of the city. Authorities found Villegas' clothes on Tuesday morning. They are still treating the search as a rescue mission. Tong dial 911 at least 15 times on Sunday. The Alton man claimed to have been forced or abducted by a group of illegal immigrants. Anyone with information about Villegas' whereabouts is asked to call Mission Crime Stoppers at (956) 581-8477.
CCR: Unknown
Date Reported: October 13, 2018
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Irene Ozuna
Age 45
Gender Female
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Mario Lozano Lemus
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Mexico
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1300 block of North Carolina Street in Alton
Penitas TX, 78572
Hidaglo
L.E.A Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office

Cold Case Spotlight

According to officials, 24-year-old Mario Lozano is the main suspect in the death of his mother in law 45-year-old Irene Ozuna and 24-year-old Maria Angelita Vasquez, his sister-in-law.Vasquez’s husband who chose to remain anonymous, says he witnessed the incident. He adds Lozano has been part of their family for a few years and this situation comes as a shock. The witness says that on Saturday night, the suspect’s wife called her sister and mother asking for help because she was having a fight with her husband at their home. The victim’s husband adds his mother in law was shot in the head inside the house and died instantly. His wife also received a shot to the head and died while waiting for medical attention. Authorities are still searching for Lozano. If you have any information on his whereabouts contact Hidalgo County Crime Stoppers at (956) 668-8477 Should your tip lead to an arrest, apprehension or prevention of a crime, you may be eligible for a cash reward up to 1,000 Dollars
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: 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: 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: July 16, 2017
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Nahomi Rodriguez
Age 19
Gender Female
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Unknown
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 602 N. 77
Sunshine Strip Harlingen, Texas, 78550
Cameron
L.E.A Harlingen Police Department

Cold Case Spotlight

On July 16, 2017, Nahomi Rodriguez, a 19-year old, went missing from McDonald’s in Harlingen, Texas. She was last seen alive entering a light colored early 2000s Ford Escape on surveillance video outside her work at a McDonald’s in Harlingen in July 2016. About one year later her skeletal remains were found in Rio Hondo in April 2017. Investigators believe that the same person and vehicle are captured on video from a camera inside the fast food restaurant. A man in a white cap with a black shirt pulls up to the drive-through window. Nahomi can be seen giving the unknown man a fist-punch. The Harlingen police department, law enforcement partners, and community partners are offering $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Naomi's disappearance and death.
CCR: 02-01918
Date Reported: January 25, 2002
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Jaime Viacobo
Age 44
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Ruben Villareal
Offense Murder
Cause Beaten/Battered
Location Mission, Tx
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location FM 493 on Mile 10 1/2 Rd.
Donna Texas, 78537
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo CO. Sherriff'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

CCR: 08-57575
Date Reported: November 7, 2008
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Fernando "Ferny" Luna
Age 18
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 702 W. Expressway 83
Pharr Texas, 78577
Hidalgo
L.E.A Pharr Police Department

Cold Case Spotlight

The body of an 18-year-old man was found behind a furniture store along U.S. Expressway 83 in Pharr. Officers responded to a call about shots fired near the Lacks Clearance Center, 702 W. Expressway 83 in Pharr. After they arrived, they discovered the bullet-torn body of Edinburg resident Fernando "Ferny" Luna Jr., 18, according to a Pharr police statement. Police continue to look for a dark-colored, four-door, 2005 or 2006 Cadillac CTS and a light-colored passenger vehicle, possibly a Dodge Neon, according to the statement. He was called "Ferny", was 18 years old and was a student at Edinburg North High School. He loved to play football, ride horses, and hunt. He will be always be remembered by his sweet smile, his genuine kindness, and his charm forever to come.
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