TX TX - Elizabeth Barraza, 29, murdered setting up garage sale, Harris Co, Jan 2019 #7

[JnRyan]

I fully believe that truck was from out of state and the shooter used it with or without the owners permission.

Or at a great distance from Tomball, since TX is a rather large state. In any event I agree that the shooter was not the owner - just someone with access to it.

 

[AppleTreeGreen]

What time was the vehicle pulled over? I have heard conflicting times such as before the shooting or after the shooting.

According to the Arrin Stoner video posted above, the vehicle, was pulled over after the shooting which occurred at 6:55 AM. A Black Nissan was first spotted going southbound and then pursued by a responding officer on Kuykendal at 7:05 AM. They were finally able to be pulled over and spoken with the officer by 7:12 AM. The model of the Nissan Frontier is not specified though by the way and the vin numbers have been blacked out on the documents provided to AS. AS states it is possible it wasn’t the right vehicle that was pursued by the responding officer.

Hope this helps.

 

[lonewanderer]

According to the Arrin Stoner video posted above, the vehicle, was pulled over after the shooting which occurred at 6:55 AM. A Black Nissan was first spotted going southbound and then pursued by a responding officer on Kuykendal at 7:05 AM. They were finally able to be pulled over and spoken with the officer by 7:12 AM. The model of the Nissan Frontier is not specified though by the way and the vin numbers have been blacked out on the documents provided to AS. AS states it is possible it wasn’t the right vehicle that was pursued by the responding officer.

Hope this helps.

It does help, thank you.

I was under the impression the truck was pulled over before the shooting. Some time between 2am and 4am. This would have been good hours to use the sleeping child excuse. Pulled over at 7:12? Not so much.

I don't feel like I am forcing a round peg into a square hole too much by sticking to my female shooter with child excuse theory. I think Liz's shooter was a female, and if she was they psychotic enough to shoot Liz point blank, I can see them making a clever excuse on the spot to be in the area, or already have a story pre-planned. I also think seeing a woman in the truck would set off way less alarm bells that a man in the truck. Women are very, very clever and are also able to emulate emotions in their advantage, especially towards men (most likely a male officer).

I digress, though. Lots of people headed to work, coffee, daycare, other places early in the morning. I personally believe the shooter is female and was dressed for an early morning activity such as walking the dog, taking out the trash, etc. We have all seen many women around Liz's age and demographic outside at that hour in the morning, during winter, wearing a robe with ugg style boots.

 

[OrangeCash]

I agree- the truck is the key and I am beyond shocked that nobody in Liz and Sergio's circle of friends recognizes it and that nobody has seen it again in that area.

Maybe they weren't part of L and S's circle of friends at the time, but have since become very close to one of them? I don't know that I truly believe that, but it's floating around in my possibilities. There's something in there somewhere, MOO

 

[Cryptic]

I myself have a few tenuous ties to the SW cosplay and the overall Star Wars fandom community, but I just don't feel like this has anything to do with that angle. Nerd groups like this tend to be pretty gossipy and people will know each other for years and years and years.

Greetings!

I too have some ties to the Nerdverse- but with a faction centered on complex board games with elaborately painted figurines.

Anyways.....

This non cosplay nerd faction is pretty balanced as a group. Focus on the games can be intense. Some participants have uhmm.... "incomplete" social skills. Others enjoy "OG" respect in the group. But, most have outside interests and lives: boy friends, girl friends, spouses. Some have good jobs. One has grand children. Lives separate from the group are common.

But....

A forum member mentioned that her cosplay / fan nerd group (different genre than Star Wars) had a very noticeable minority of people who were "in deep". They derived all, or nearly all, of their friends, self esteem, social prestige and in some cases, "chosen family" from the cosplay world. Cosplay related "situations" and jealosies could get dramatic- fast.

So....

What are your observations of the Star Wars cosplay faction of the Nerdverse? Are they balanced as a group? Or, are there noticeable numbers of "in deep" participants with disproportionate levels of self esteem, friends and social prestige invested in Star Wars cosplay?

 

[AmandaSkis]

I have also started to wonder about timing. For example, we know it was a matter of minutes when her husband left the house and the shooter pulled up. So we have speculated that there was some sort of surveillance happening.

But think about how Liz left the house earlier that morning to go to Starbucks and then came back. How did the shooter know that Liz was back home? Did the shooter know that Liz even went to Starbucks?

Because then it made me start thinking about the timing again. That only did the shooter know when the husband left the house, the shooter also knew that Liz was still there to start driving over.

The shooter started driving over after the husband left the house. So the shooter had no way of knowing that Liz was actually going to be outside at any point. Even though there was a garage sale, it was not time for the garage sale so Liz could’ve been inside going to the bathroom, getting a drink, etc.

 

[Panniniclaus]

Who stood to benefit or has benefitted since this happened?

I am sure there is a reason why people aren't laying it out here that the person closest to Liz likely arranged everything and perhaps sent a message from a burner that made it very easy for the killer to do their thing. Perhaps I'll get a warning for this although I don't think I am saying anything that others are not already thinking.

 

[NoSpoonFeeding]

Greetings!

I too have some ties to the Nerdverse- but with a faction centered on complex board games with elaborately painted figurines.

Anyways.....

This non cosplay nerd faction is pretty balanced as a group. Focus on the games can be intense. Some participants have uhmm.... "incomplete" social skills. Others enjoy "OG" respect in the group. But, most have outside interests and lives: boy friends, girl friends, spouses. Some have good jobs. One has grand children. Lives separate from the group are common.

But....

A forum member mentioned that her cosplay / fan nerd group (different genre than Star Wars) had a very noticeable minority of people who were "in deep". They derived all, or nearly all, of their friends, self esteem, social prestige and in some cases, "chosen family" from the cosplay world. Cosplay related "situations" and jealosies could get dramatic- fast.

So....

What are your observations of the Star Wars cosplay faction of the Nerdverse? Are they balanced as a group? Or, are there noticeable numbers of "in deep" participants with disproportionate levels of self esteem, friends and social prestige invested in Star Wars cosplay?

The Barazas were involved in a charity organization that evolved from members' love of Star Wars. not a cosplay faction. They dressed in the authorized and approved gear, for the purpose of drawing a larger audience to get more donations for a specific charity, appearances that are applied for and approved by the organization. The victim died in a hospital that she had made (Storm Trooper) appearances at, for the morale of children. Make-A-Wish is a "partner organization".

Make-A-Wish® America

We All Have the Power to Grant a Wish®. Create a Friends and Family page today and help grant wishes!

secure2.wish.org

The 501st Legion

Star Wars Costuming Group

www.501st.com

 

[NoSpoonFeeding]

Who stood to benefit or has benefitted since this happened?

I am sure there is a reason why people aren't laying it out here that the person closest to Liz likely arranged everything and perhaps sent a message from a burner that made it very easy for the killer to do their thing. Perhaps I'll get a warning for this although I don't think I am saying anything that others are not already thinking.

Yes, there is a reason. So far, no one has shown that anyone benefitted in any way since this happened. (Speculation is not showing any proof). LE has done an exhaustive investigation of the person most always assumed responsible (spouse, BF). Why would a killer need to make drive-bys around the neighborhood during the night if they were just waiting for a call to tell them the coast was clear? All of the driving around is inefficient and an unnecessary risk in your scenario.

 

[lonewanderer]

I have also started to wonder about timing. For example, we know it was a matter of minutes when her husband left the house and the shooter pulled up. So we have speculated that there was some sort of surveillance happening.

But think about how Liz left the house earlier that morning to go to Starbucks and then came back. How did the shooter know that Liz was back home? Did the shooter know that Liz even went to Starbucks?

Because then it made me start thinking about the timing again. That only did the shooter know when the husband left the house, the shooter also knew that Liz was still there to start driving over.

The shooter started driving over after the husband left the house. So the shooter had no way of knowing that Liz was actually going to be outside at any point. Even though there was a garage sale, it was not time for the garage sale so Liz could’ve been inside going to the bathroom, getting a drink, etc.

I have speculated that the shooter had access to view Liz and Sergio's Ring doorbell or monitor what devices were online in their Wi-Fi mesh (for instance, I use Deco devices for Wi-Fi extension and I can see what devices are connected to my Wi-Fi, even when I am in town using cell data on my phone).

The shooter could have been watching Liz live the entire time and known that she was outside setting up as (the shooter) walked up to her.

If this theory is correct, it indicates that this person highly likely knew them very well.

 

[bluevioletfour]

I can't remember where the write-up by the LEO of the Frontier they stopped a few minutes after the murder is located, and I apologize if my comment here has been brought up before, but does anyone remember if the truck LE stopped was this:
-"2012-19 dark Nissan Frontier Pro-4x crew cab truck"?

I'd think that would be a pretty big coincidence.

I've missed the information about a truck being stopped so soon after the murder. Was it a man or woman driving the truck?

 

[AppleTreeGreen]

Because then it made me start thinking about the timing again. That only did the shooter know when the husband left the house, the shooter also knew that Liz was still there to start driving over.

I also think it is interesting that the perp moved their car from the Goddard School parking lot to another location just before SB had reached the stoplight at the corner.

However, at the same time the route the vehicle took the night before to the house appears to have avoided that entryway into Liz’s neighborhood and could have decreased the driver’s likelihood of being spotted by SB had they taken used it and parked near it at that 6:52ish time instead.

The drive and different route the night before does make me speculate that the perp was not familiar or a regular visitor of Liz’s and Sergio’s home but that either they or some other party advising them was familiar enough with their routines or routes to work to plan and scout ahead the best path take to avoid crossing or being spotted by SB on his way to work.

This also makes me think that perhaps the perp was worried about recognizing them or that somehow SB was familiar enough with them that he would grow confused, curious or suspicious if he saw them both unexpectedly and abnormally in his neighborhood and so close to his own home.

Almost like the gig would be up if spotted and they would have decide between continuing with committing this horrific murder or continue knowing SB would immediately identify them to LE and they would never get away with this atrocity. MOO

Why would a killer need to make drive-bys around the neighborhood during the night if they were just waiting for a call to tell them the coast was clear?

Something both you and @AmandaSkis made me think about is that this killer absolutely wanted to target and attack Liz alone and I wonder why? I know one apparent answer is because she is of course more vulnerable alone. However, I can’t help but wonder if this need also revealed something about the shooter as well.

For example, did they worry about in addition to Liz, SB he would be more willing to fight and they couldn’t take him, let alone both on? Were they intimidated by him or his size or strength? But what about the advantage of having the gun and the ability to shoot and harm/neutralize both? Did SB have a gun or weapon that they knew of? How? Were they, or any possible accomplice who helped plan this murder, willing to harm and kill Liz but not Sergio? Why? Did they care about him? If no, then what difference did SB’s presence make if he was just another witness that could have also just been targeted and severely injured/eliminated with the gun? Even if he rushed at the killer, the shooting of the firearm would have still been detrimental and perhaps fatal to him and the killer could have also walked or ran back towards the truck.

Also, why get out of the vehicle at all when instead they could try to lure Liz towards them by pretending to have questions, talking in a soft voice and whatnot? This would have caused less chance of getting seen by any cameras? How confident was this killer with a gun and how strong or capable were they in physically fighting back to defend themselves against Liz or possibly Liz and Sergio?

This is all just my own speculation and questions of course and they mostly stem from differences and comparisons of shootings, including drive-by, gang related ones and those that escalated from physical fights and interpersonal conflict, that happen in my region

 

[poppyquiche]

The Barazas were involved in a charity organization that evolved from members' love of Star Wars. not a cosplay faction. They dressed in the authorized and approved gear, for the purpose of drawing a larger audience to get more donations for a specific charity, appearances that are applied for and approved by the organization. The victim died in a hospital that she had made (Storm Trooper) appearances at, for the morale of children. Make-A-Wish is a "partner organization".

Make-A-Wish® America

We All Have the Power to Grant a Wish®. Create a Friends and Family page today and help grant wishes!

secure2.wish.org

The 501st Legion

Star Wars Costuming Group

www.501st.com

I mean, the 501st IS still absolutely cosplay. It's got very high standards for its costumes, and they absolutely do charity events and other community events as their major activity but they are also in full costume at just fan-centered events like conventions (e.g. Star Wars Celebration, local "fandom" conventions, even just things like "Sci Fi Day" at a local museum or library. It is definitely a group of people that are there in no small part because they enjoy dressing up in Star Wars character costumes. Some of them have appeared in their 501st costumes as extras in actual Star Wars content (e.g. when they needed extra storm troopers for The Mandalorian.)

Not that I think it makes a great deal of difference. From my own observations it is a very tight knit community of costume enthusiasts who often do charity events, and what I said before about it being the sort of group where I'd be shocked if someone had a grudge with another member that rose to the level of a brazen murder and it wasn't somewhat common knowledge that there were bad feelings there still applies, from my perspective.

 

[Cryptic]

The Barazas were involved in a charity organization that evolved from members' love of Star Wars. not a cosplay faction.

I can accept that there are different definitions of 'Cosplay'.

That aside....

Does anybody have an opinion if the Star Wars related organization in question (501 Legion) includes a noticeable minority of "in deep" participants?

In deep participants would derive disproportionate amounts of self esteem, social prestige, friends etc. from the group.

 

[poppyquiche]

I can accept that there are different definitions of 'Cosplay'.

That aside....

Does anybody have an opinion if the Star Wars related organization in question (501 Legion) includes a noticeable minority of "in deep" participants?

In deep participants would derive disproportionate amounts of self esteem, social prestige, friends etc. from the group.

It's like any other nerdy affinity group, in my experience. Some people are more casual about it, for some people it's just like a family reunion of people you've known for years and maybe your kids even grew up together, and for others it is maybe the main part of their identity. I'd say that that's probably a minority in this group, but sure. They definitely have those folks.

 

[Panniniclaus]

Yes, there is a reason. So far, no one has shown that anyone benefitted in any way since this happened. (Speculation is not showing any proof). LE has done an exhaustive investigation of the person most always assumed responsible (spouse, BF). Why would a killer need to make drive-bys around the neighborhood during the night if they were just waiting for a call to tell them the coast was clear? All of the driving around is inefficient and an unnecessary risk in your scenario.

One of the thoughts I had is that the killer was brought in from out of town, so they get there the night before and have a hotel room.... but their nerves are not letting them sleep so they go to the area to scope it out, familiarize.

 

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[AmandaSkis]

OK, I realize as I am typing this that my theory might be way out there but what about trackers put on Liz and Sergio‘s vehicles? I first thought about AirTags, but I don’t know if they were around much in 2019. I know even less about trackers, but we have read about them in other cases so it seems like they aren’t too difficult to obtain.

 

[no greed]

OK, I realize as I am typing this that my theory might be way out there but what about trackers put on Liz and Sergio‘s vehicles? I first thought about AirTags, but I don’t know if they were around much in 2019. I know even less about trackers, but we have read about them in other cases so it seems like they aren’t too difficult to obtain.

That is a possibility. I hope LE has investigated that. I find it unlikely because if found it could probably be traced to a purchaser. Hopefully LE has gathered a large amount of evidence that eliminates many potential actors and narrows it to a likely suspect or two. Obviously they do not have enough evidence to make an arrest or that a prosecutor is willing to to gamble charges on. IMO it is likely a hired murder by someone close to Elizabeth. If so, all the more tragic. It could be a random gang initiation hit, that would make it very difficult to solve without someone confessing.

 

[Hausos]

Yes, there is a reason. So far, no one has shown that anyone benefitted in any way since this happened. (Speculation is not showing any proof). LE has done an exhaustive investigation of the person most always assumed responsible (spouse, BF). Why would a killer need to make drive-bys around the neighborhood during the night if they were just waiting for a call to tell them the coast was clear? All of the driving around is inefficient and an unnecessary risk in your scenario.

Elizabeth had a decent life insurance policy (confirmed). Sergio remarried shortly after (confirmed). He also has a new house (confirmed).

I understand the remarrying thing could be cultural. In my culture, even though a lot of marriages are arranged and you can't call them "love" marriages, any husband would be hesitant to remarry so soon after even a divorce. Much less a murder of a spouse. JMO.