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: 99-18929
Date Reported: November 3, 1999
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Juan Luis Garza Alaniz
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location North of 9 North on 6 1/2 West
Weslaco Texas, 78596
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office

CCR: 96-26006
Date Reported: September 10, 1996
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Unknown
Gender Female
Race Caucasian/White
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Suspicious Death
Cause Unknown
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location Whalen Rd and Border Rd
Donna Tx, 78537
L.E.A Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office

CCR: 02-9498
Date Reported: April 21, 2002
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Maria Evangelina Zavala
Age 30
Gender Female
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Beaten/Battered
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1 mile N of FM 1925 on Big Five Rd.
Edinburg TX, 78539
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office

Maria was murdered along with two others on April 21st, 2002. This case remains unsolved, 2 decades have passed and nothing has been done. No Justice, No Peace.
CCR: 11-24868
Date Reported: June 14, 2011
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Manuel Alberto Luna
Age 28
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unkown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location FM 2812
Edinburg Texas, 78541
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sherriff's Office
CCR: 04-27413
Date Reported: October 9, 2004
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Donald Gary Hargett
Age 61
Gender Male
Race Caucasian/White
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location P.O. Box 289
Linn Texas, 78563
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sherriff'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: 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: November 10, 2006
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Luis Fernando De Leon
Age 41
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Gun/Firearm
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1615 West Expressway 83 in Pharr.
Pharr Texas, 78577
Hidalgo
L.E.A Pharr Police Department

Cold Case Spotlight

The 41-year-old man was found in a field on a slab of concrete on November 10, 2006, when a driver passing through the area noticed something and flagged down a patrol officer with the Pharr Police Department. De Leon was discovered at approximately 12:38 p.m. at 1615 West Expressway 83 in Pharr. The teacher was found with a gunshot wound to his head, his hands tied behind his back, and his feet bound by a belt, according to the Pharr Police Department. Investigators found no form of struggle at the location, however, they believe that De Leon was not murdered at the field but left thereafter. Authorities do not believe that De Leon’s murder was drug-related. An autopsy later revealed De Leon had blunt force trauma to his “head, neck, and upper chest area.” De Leon was reported missing by his mother later that day at approximately 6:10 p.m., just hours after authorities discovered his body. Officials visited the De Leon residence and confirmed with the mother that her son had been murdered. According to the Pharr Police Department, Investigators currently have no leads. This investigation is ongoing. If you have any information on this case, please call The Pharr Crime Stoppers at (956)-787-8477.
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: 02-15094
Date Reported: June 22, 2002
VICTIM DETAILS
Name Jesus Chavez
Age 24
Gender Male
Race Hispanic/Latino
SUSPECT DETAILS
Name Unknown
Offense Murder
Cause Blunt Force
Location Unknown
CASE DETAILS
Status Unsolved
Incident location 1/2 Mile E of Raul Longoria on Trenton Rd
Edinburg Texas, 78539
Hidalgo
L.E.A Hidalgo Co. Sheriff's Office

Almost 2 decades and Jesus Chavez's murder has not been solved, he will forever be in our thoughts and prayers. No Justice, No Peace.