TX - Elizabeth Barraza, 29, murdered setting up garage sale, Harris Co, Jan 2019 #4

[Ajs1004]

That’s the part that always throws me. The killer turned around to park facing out the way he/she came in so he/she should have kept driving straight out the way he/she was facing. But instead he/she turned around and went back into the neighborhood.

I’m guessing they figured the cops would come quickly so they couldn’t leave the way they arrived.

 

[PawneeDew]

Try this link

Thanks so much.

 

[PawneeDew]

If the killer drove through the green belt, it wasn't by choice. Too suspicious, imho. Could likely have heard sirens, gotten lost/turned around, and then when confronted with the cul-de-sac took the risk versus going back on surface streets with cops responding?

Super-risky to carry out a crime like this at that time of day in a residential neighborhood. Only extreme hatred or a big payday would warrant this level of risk. No one can substantiate either as a motive, but if we are to believe that Liz was kind and free of enemies, then who put out the hit? SOMEBODY gained SOMETHING from her death. Now, I have heard of cases where a man has a argument/fight/break-up with his significant other and goes trolling for someone to take their rage out on-not uncommon at all-but this crime has so many moving parts that this seems only remotely possible.

You have a crime that resembles a vengeance killing or paid hit, yet we lack motive, since apparently insurance monies have not been paid out (to my knowledge). We have no affairs, ties to gangs or criminal activity. The level of violence was extreme, reflecting a certain and calculated act of ambush and escape. I can only see money or love/lack of love as the motives here. Yet, we could find out tomorrow that the killer had no link to Liz whatsoever. I do think that raising the reward to $100,000 would bring in that one much-needed break. Until then, we are all grasping at straws.

If there's more than one person involved; I would keep my mind open to more than one motive.

 

[PawneeDew]

Am I correct in remembeing Liz's street ended in a cul-de-saq? So, killer had to turn around and drive back by the crime scene to exit the same way he came in?

That's what I thought...remember the truck passed the first time, made a three-point turnaround, pulled up and shot Elizabeth, got back in the truck, and...I haven't looked at the map, yet. (facepalm) maybe someone can clarify...

 

[Sjöberg]

They may not have planned for her to go get coffee but it didn’t change the time of attack or Liz being home later.

Agree. I think it is likely that she was meant to be attacked as she is leaving for work.

IMO the timing being when S was not home could also have been so there was no witness who knew who they were. If this was someone the Barrazas would have recognized, they may have not wanted S to be home. They knew they were going to kill Liz (yes, she did end up living until the hospital but my understanding is she wasn't conscious to tell them who the killer was if she knew and I don't think their plan was to leave her alive), it appears they wore a disguise so their identity wouldn't be immediately discernible on cameras especially from far away, and they must have known or felt confident that even if neighbors came out of their homes, they wouldn't know who they were

I will say that there is one very compelling argument for being in the school lot only one minute-to put the disguise on. Driving with it on, at least the wig and mask, would have not been very subtle and would draw attention.

It's an interesting idea! I personally am not even 100% sold about there being a disguise at all.

I've always thought truck driver was waiting for S to leave, then it was time to make its move. IMO.

This has always been my impression - they were waiting until they can see his car, then they start moving. No idea if this is true or not, but this is what the movement has always looked like to me.

This appears to be a boldly executed assassination, which likely points to a paid killer.

To me, it is too messy for a paid killer. I understand they are not all pros, but this seems too personal and too risky for me to be the work of a paid killer. Why stop for a nice little chat? Why not use the cover of the night? Why not shoot her from more of a distance? Etc.

you just go to Walmart or somewhere to buy a card to load on the phone..So, no bill; how can that be traced?

They don't sell phones or SIM cards in an anonymous way anymore. They require the person's name, ID, etc.

IMO, even if they sold these in an anonymos way, LE would know the phone and all its movements by now. If anyone connected to Liz used a burner phone or if anyone in that car had any phones with them, LE knows.

if you believe Mr. Stoners video

Bolded by me. I would advise against believing anything from such source or any psychic or "enchancer".

Liz's dad said he would have been there with her at the time of the shooting and it is a constant source of grief and survivor's guilt. Although he does not know if it would have deterred the killer; he is always armed. He conceals carriers wherever he goes.

The knowledge that Liz's dad was planning to join her for the yard sale setup is interesting too - if anything this helps exonerate Sergio (because the expected presence of the dad makes the garage sale a *worse* opportunity for a hit than a typical work morning would be).. this is again a detail that a neighbor might not be aware of.

I did not know that. How very horrible. It strengthens my feeling that the yard sale might have had nothing to do with the killing whatsoever - like she would have been simply attacked as she entered her car to drive to work, had there been no yard sale.

- they knew Sergio and Liz's morning schedule, despite no obvious evidence of casing the neighborhood on prior mornings. (But of course they could have in a different vehicle) They also didn't necessarily need to know about the yard sale - they may have anticipated waiting for Liz to come to her car to leave for work and the yard sale was a coincidence.

I think the killer is somehow connected to them, and one angle is that might be a long-term stalker. Like originally a harmless online-stalker, that escalated. Say, maybe either of them has a really crazy ex from high school that recently had a break up or something.

All MOO.

 

[KindMind1ofA]

Agree. I think it is likely that she was meant to be attacked as she is leaving for work.

That does open up more possibilities as to what relationship the killer might have had to Liz. Also, the video of the truck approaching at 6:52 makes it appear to me that the driver wasn't expecting to see Liz outside yet. Obviously subjective, but my feeling was that the driver braked later than they would have if they'd have known they were stopping there at that time. I've done the same thing on occasion pulling into my own driveway though, so not confident the timing of their braking should be given much weight.

One more thought on the "Perp parked 1 minute in the
I will say that there is one very compelling argument for being in the school lot only one minute-to put the disguise on. Driving with it on, at least the wig and mask, would have not been very subtle and would draw attention. It's very likely that this action would take only a minute or so.

Well that makes a lot of sense! I'm sold!

 

[santacruztodd]

Agree. I think it is likely that she was meant to be attacked as she is leaving for work.


It's an interesting idea! I personally am not even 100% sold about there being a disguise at all.

This has always been my impression - they were waiting until they can see his car, then they start moving. No idea if this is true or not, but this is what the movement has always looked like to me.

To me, it is too messy for a paid killer. I understand they are not all pros, but this seems too personal and too risky for me to be the work of a paid killer. Why stop for a nice little chat? Why not use the cover of the night? Why not shoot her from more of a distance? Etc.


IMO, even if they sold these in an anonymos way, LE would know the phone and all its movements by now. If anyone connected to Liz used a burner phone or if anyone in that car had any phones with them, LE knows.

Bolded by me. I would advise against believing anything from such source or any psychic or "enchancer".


I did not know that. How very horrible. It strengthens my feeling that the yard sale might have had nothing to do with the killing whatsoever - like she would have been simply attacked as she entered her car to drive to work, had there been no yard sale.

I think the killer is somehow connected to them, and one angle is that might be a long-term stalker. Like originally a harmless online-stalker, that escalated. Say, maybe either of them has a really crazy ex from high school that recently had a break up or something.

All MOO.

Not all paid killers are pros, nor tidy!

 

[Ajs1004]

I wanted to share this. I don’t know very much about life insurance but I asked my husband because I know he does. I asked him about a murder clause in a life insurance policy and he said this can be typical of people who are in higher up positions like at their job and are “at risk” of potentially being murdered. To note, he doesn’t know much about this case, only what I’ve told him and that’s not much because he’s not a true crime fan.

So was Liz in an at risk position at her employer? I know Sergio is now employed, same place and same position. Is he at risk now?

 

[iamnotagolem]

I wanted to share this. I don’t know very much about life insurance but I asked my husband because I know he does. I asked him about a murder clause in a life insurance policy and he said this can be typical of people who are in higher up positions like at their job and are “at risk” of potentially being murdered. To note, he doesn’t know much about this case, only what I’ve told him and that’s not much because he’s not a true crime fan.

So was Liz in an at risk position at her employer? I know Sergio is now employed, same place and same position. Is he at risk now?

This article might help you

What is Double Indemnity?

If you lost someone you love to an accidental death, you may be expecting a payout from a life insurance carrier. Contact us for a free legal consultation.

knutsoncasey.com

I wonder if the double indemnity clause in Liz’s life insurance is for accidental death, which is quite common, as opposed to specifically for murder.

According to the Paula Zahn episode she was an analyst and not in a high risk position. IIRC

 

[Ajs1004]

This article might help you

What is Double Indemnity?

If you lost someone you love to an accidental death, you may be expecting a payout from a life insurance carrier. Contact us for a free legal consultation.

knutsoncasey.com

I wonder if the double indemnity clause in Liz’s life insurance is for accidental death, which is quite common, as opposed to specifically for murder.

According to the Paula Zahn episode she was an analyst and not in a high risk position. IIRC

My husband also works at an oil company as an analyst and it is not considered a high risk position.

 

[Duper's Delight]

Deleted: think my post broke the rules...

 

[santacruztodd]

In a case where there are so many "ifs", and because of the great suppositions here as to who/what/where/when and why, I'd like to focus on the choice of the garage sale as the location for the murder. Let's forget about whether it's a man or a woman, a hit or a vengeance killing, the truck in question, the insurance money, etc..

Why was she killed that day, at the sale, in the very early morning hours? If I was the husband, would I want to hire someone to kill my wife at my own home? Would there be a BETTER way of having the cops up my butt than by doing that? It makes little sense to me. The killer could have staked out her place of employment, or as easily known that she went to Starbucks for coffee. There are SO many better locations to do this than at the residence if I was close to the inner circle. So let's assume no one in the family hired a person to do this. Well, anyone from the past who may have held a grudge most-likely would not have know about the sale. Let's also assume that it was not random, as the location was driven by at 12:30 or 2:00 am before the actual shooting.

The killer wore a disguise that hints toward their knowledge of Liz' affinity for cosplay. Now, they could have worn a baclava, bandana or a myriad of other disguises, but they didn't. Nothing stopped the killer from simply approaching her and firing away. It wouldn't have mattered if she ran away-he had her in close proximity. This leads me to believe that several issues are at play here:

1) The killer knew about the sale.
2) The killer knew about Liz' cosplay/Star Wars hobby.
3) The killer felt a need to engage with Liz by conversating about the STORMTROOPER HELMET (why the helmet?-was the killer also a cosplayer, or 501st Legionaire?)
4) The killer killed with great purpose and malice-it seemed very personal, and as though the killer took pleasure in the act.

The most-likely result of my many assumptions is that this may well-have to do with the 501st. If Liz was having a sale, she may have leaked it to the people within the 501st, who would have had the greatest interest in her Star Wars items. Was this someone within the 501st who had a grudge? Knew about the sale? Possibly knew where she lived or could easily find out? This may be someone within the organization that simply had a murder fetish, or who more-likely was angered by Liz (a few here have opined that she may have angered someone that she denied 501st amenities to). I'm not pointing fingers AT the 501st, but they may be related to someone affected by Liz's decisions within the organization.

I'm trying to view this from the killer's point of view, and something here just doesn't feel right. Too high-risk if all that was sought was to kill her. This killer was willing to take a BIG risk to accomplish this, which points to rage as the motive.

All IMHO and for the express purpose of clarifying motive and the relationship to the victim. No personal accusations are being made whatsoever.

 

[Lonicera]

I’ve seen too many cases where the husband was willing to do anything to get rid of a wife.
Then it’s very diificile to have proof

 

[stmarysmead]

Excellent post, santacruztod. I like your use of the word ‘rage.’ The planning this took, the preparation, IMO, points to a long simmering sense of rage.

To the killer or killers, E. did something unforgivable. Something that impacted their life in a way that they could see no remedy but revenge.

My gut tells me this is someone rejected in some fashion by the 501. Whether it was membership or an appearance, E.became their scapegoat for whatever loss it cost them.

Discovering such a person is very difficult…because the ‘offense’ might seem trivial or reasonable to others.

 

[arielilane]

Weather in Tomball in January 2019​

Tomball Weather Forecast for January 2019 is based on statistical data.

Weather in Tomball in January 2019 (Texas) - detailed Weather Forecast for a month

 

[KindMind1ofA]

Great post - here's some thoughts:

The killer could have staked out her place of employment, or as easily known that she went to Starbucks for coffee. There are SO many better locations to do this than at the residence if I was close to the inner circle.

Her home might have been preferred because of access to rural streets without cameras. Starbucks or her place of work may have been more visible and harder to get away unnoticed/unrecorded, and greater chance of unexpected witnesses (although this was already a risk in her neighborhood at this hour)

Let's also assume that it was not random, as the location was driven by at 12:30 or 2:00 am before the actual shooting.

Totally agree - this was premeditated and either a little planning and a lot of luck, or a lot of planning and a little luck.

The killer wore a disguise that hints toward their knowledge of Liz' affinity for cosplay. Now, they could have worn a baclava, bandana or a myriad of other disguises, but they didn't.

Some have mentioned a possible tie-in to her part time job at the costume shop based on this. There has been very little discussion about this job, though, so I'm not even 100% certain it existed.

Nothing stopped the killer from simply approaching her and firing away. It wouldn't have mattered if she ran away-he had her in close proximity. This leads me to believe that several issues are at play here:

1) The killer knew about the sale.

I think so too, but there is potential they planned on killing her that morning as she left for work and were pleasantly surprised to find her outside alone setting up a yard sale. I agree it's more likely they knew, though...

2) The killer knew about Liz' cosplay/Star Wars hobby.

Seems most likely

3) The killer felt a need to engage with Liz by conversating about the STORMTROOPER HELMET (why the helmet?-was the killer also a cosplayer, or 501st Legionaire?)

I've wondered if this was just a ploy to put her at ease until the killer was close enough to make sure she didn't get away. The "it's not worth it" line, though, if that's what the killer actually said, does make this topic of conversation sound spiteful rather than just a distraction.

4) The killer killed with great purpose and malice-it seemed very personal, and as though the killer took pleasure in the act.

It's hard for me to glean from the footage - but I have heard it repeated that targeting someone's head is usually a sign of malice.

The most-likely result of my many assumptions is that this may well-have to do with the 501st.

The job at the costume shop fits as well.

This may be someone within the organization that simply had a murder fetish, or who more-likely was angered by Liz.

This murder fetish idea seems outlandish, but is more and more compelling as the years go by with no suspects.. basically someone who had no externally observable motive at all with respect to Liz, just saw an opportunity... If so, yikes.

 

[arielilane]

Information listed below is according to Arrin's 1st video.


The truck is seen in the Goddard School parking lot for 10 seconds. It then exits the parking lot at 6:48 am.
Also, at 6:48 am S leaves his home driving a white panel van.

At 6:51 am, the truck is seen on surveillance camera in the neighborhood driving toward Barraza house.

At 6:52 am, truck passes the Barraza home. Driver makes a three point turn on Cedar Walk Drive parking behind Liz’s car, exits walking toward the driveway where Liz is still setting up. The murderer speaks to Liz for about 6 seconds. There are a total of three quick shots and then a fourth shot, which takes approximately 30 seconds.

At 6:53 am, killer sprints back to the truck heading east on Cedar Walk Dr. and then east to Princeton Place Drive toward Kuykendahl Road.

At 6:53-4 am approximately, neighbors call 911 and truck exits Princeton onto Kukendahl Road and makes a U-turn and heads back toward crime scene.

At 6:55 am, killer drives back by Liz’s house heading west on Cedar Walk Drive.

Four minutes later around 6:59 am Harris County precinct 4 constables arrived to investigate and secure the crime scene.

There is video footage captured of truck at intersection of Sandusky Drive and Brogan Ct.
When shooter left crime scene he took a left onto Sandusky Drive and went south passing Brogan Court and continued further south on Sandusky Drive out of camera view.

You can pick right up (for additional information) @11:45 timestamp.

 

[arielilane]

• Early Morning [06:48:00 AM] The Nissan Frontier leaves the Goddard School parking lot to conceal on a different street.
• Early Morning [06:48:00 AM] Sergio leaves the property to go to work, in a white panel van.
• Early Morning [06:51:40 AM] The Nissan Frontier comes back into view and heads towards the Barraza home.
• Early Morning [06:52:12 AM] The murderer does a 3-point turn on Cedar Walk, parks behind Liz’s car, and then exits walking towards the driveway where Liz is still setting up.
• Early Morning [06:52:20 - 06:52:50 AM] Liz says “Good Morning” and then the murderer speaks to her for about 6 seconds. There are 3 quick shots and then a fourth shot delivered point blank once Liz has collapsed to the driveway. (This incident in all takes approximately 30 seconds.)
• Early Morning [06:53:10 AM] The murderer sprints back to the truck and leaves.
• Early Morning [06:53:49 AM] Mr. D., neighbor (across street) calls 911: Heard 4 gunshots and observed Frontier leave and return at 58 seconds into the call with dispatch [6:54:47 AM].
• Early Morning [06:58:24 AM] Next door neighbor Mrs. O. calls 911: Observes someone laying in neighbor’s driveway, heard 4 gunshots. Sees police on scene during call.
• Early Morning [06:58:52 AM] Mrs. B. neighbor (across street) calls 911: Someone is shot, saw it in her home security video.
• Early Morning [06:55:05 AM] The murderer exits Princeton Place subdivision and then does a U- turn to reenter the neighborhood.
• Early Morning [06:55:08 AM] The truck is captured on her doorbell cam passing back by Liz’s house.
• Early Morning [06:58:52 AM] Harris County Precinct 4 Constables arrive to investigate and secure the scene.
• Early Morning [07:19:45 AM] Harris County Precinct 4 Constables enter the house to clear and secure the home. This set off the alarm that Liz had set to instantly trigger if a door was opened. She had the door inside the garage unlocked for her safety, as a precaution.
• Early Morning [Unknown] The truck is tracked on several commercial cameras but is eventually lost in an area with no camera coverage. Timeline

 

[arielilane]

Curious if there was an accomplice in the truck and if so, why would someone come along for a murder? Did accomplice know a murder would take place that morning? Was the accomplice the instigator? If so, why didn't accomplice do the kill? What type of relationship did the shooter and accomplice have? Only thinking and moo...

 

[arielilane]

moo, Leaning back to perhaps Liz's murder is related to 501st Legion... there are so many other disguises one could have used so why did killer chose a Star Wars type costume? To cause confusion? If so, it worked. However, imo other masks may have been/were used too.