TX - Elizabeth Barraza, 29, murdered setting up garage sale, Harris County, Jan 2019 #2

[Turkeytrot]

I'm watching the videos again and it does look like she's shown something with the shooters left hand but it doesn't look like she takes it to me. Maybe quickly shown a photograph? It's very brief.

I also thought it looked like like robe (or whatever it is) comes open on the new footage. I could see that if the shooter is a male - Like they are opening it to show their identity? Not that I think they're nude but just to show that it's a male body/physique. But when I watch the original footage I can't tell if it comes open or not.

 

[Betty P]

I'm watching the videos again and it does look like she's shown something with the shooters left hand but it doesn't look like she takes it to me. Maybe quickly shown a photograph? It's very brief.

I also thought it looked like like robe (or whatever it is) comes open on the new footage. I could see that if the shooter is a male - Like they are opening it to show their identity? Not that I think they're nude but just to show that it's a male body/physique. But when I watch the original footage I can't tell if it comes open or not.

In their PC a few months ago, the sheriff's office said the killer was wearing a raincoat or trench coat.

The male voice and Star Wars reference certainly make this seem as if it's related to her Cosplay hobby community. If it's a minor still living at home, his parents may be protecting him, making it difficult for LE to gather more evidence. IDK, in the last PC the investigator implied they had issued the search warrant, but didn't get enough information or something. It could also be an adult male who has hired an attorney who is blocking further searches.

I'm trying to remember if there was ballistic evidence. Assume there was. I hope this generates more tips.

 

[Turkeytrot]

In their PC a few months ago, the sheriff's office said the killer was wearing a raincoat or trench coat.

The male voice and Star Wars reference certainly make this seem as if it's related to her Cosplay hobby and the others in that community. If it's a minor still living at home, his parents may be protecting him, making it difficult for LE to gather more evidence. IDK, in the last PC the investigator implied they had issued the search warrant, but didn't get enough information or something. It could also be an adult male who has hired an attorney who is blocking further searches.

I'm trying to remember if there was ballistic evidence. Assume there was. I hope this generates more tips.

The only ballistic evidence I saw was that shell casings weren't found, so they believe a revolver was used

 

[sl222]

The family and friends are working on several kinds of memorial projects for Liz. The husband Sergio and his fiancé are also involved in this with her parents and friends.

 

[borndem]

That video clip seems to have been cleaned up quite a bit, much clearer now. I still think the killer is a woman. Moo.

Agreed -- in the video cited above, the figure who walks up to EB definitely walks like a woman. When the shooter flees, the shooter "scurries" away like a woman. It possibly could be a man running that way as a ruse to appear to look like a female, but I do not think so. JMHO.
I would really like to know the height of the shooter...

 

[Turkeytrot]

Agreed -- in the video cited above, the figure who walks up to EB definitely walks like a woman. When the shooter flees, the shooter "scurries" away like a woman. It possibly could be a man running that way as a ruse to appear to look like a female, but I do not think so. JMHO.
I would really like to know the height of the shooter...

The shooter doesn't look much taller than Liz to me. A coworker of hers commented on another forum that she seemed to be about 5 ft 3 inches

 

[borndem]

Wow my hearing is either terrible and/or you all have amazing hearing because even turning that video volume up, I don't even hear the "Good morning!" I do hear the weird mumbly noises that are being likened to a radio or TV, though.

The first time I watched, those gunshots made me jump out of my chair. It just reinforces how brazen this was. And even though there may not have yet been much car traffic on those streets, I guarantee neighbors were awake just before 7 AM on a work day. I mean, I leave my house at 7 to get to work. But even if you don't have to leave that early, if you work an 8-5/9-5 job, most are up at that hour. Or anyone who was a parent who had kids needing to get to school.

And then to circle back and drive by AGAIN? I am flummoxed on that one. I mean, what was the point? OK, to see if she was really deceased. But if she had somehow miraculously sat or stood up after this shooting, would the killer have jumped out and tried to shoot her again? I almost wonder, did they take a photo really quickly while driving by of her laying in the driveway in order to show it someone as "proof" that this job was done?

bbm
Hmmm, good question. Interesting.
If this was a personal matter, as is my opinion, and not a contract-type killing -- maybe the shooter had such hate, malice, jealousy, or whatever to just take a picture -- if a pic was taken -- for self-satisfaction.
The pic could have been taken as a token, as some serial murderers have been known to do, such as taking an item of clothing, jewelry, etc? I am not saying this was done by a serial murder at all -- I'm just wondering about the possibility of the doer taking of a picture of the victim.

 

[sl222]

bbm
Hmmm, good question. Interesting.
If this was a personal matter, as is my opinion, and not a contract-type killing -- maybe the shooter had such hate, malice, jealousy, or whatever to just take a picture -- if a pic was taken -- for self-satisfaction.
The pic could have been taken as a token, as some serial murderers have been known to do, such as taking an item of clothing, jewelry, etc? I am not saying this was done by a serial murder at all -- I'm just wondering about the possibility of the doer taking of a picture of the victim.

It would be interesting to know if they slowed down when they went past the house again or not. If so, that possibly indicates them taking a video, photo, or a look. So far they haven't released that video.

Another reason for the shooter driving back by is that they think they inadvertently left some kind of evidence.

If they wondered if Liz was still alive, or wanted to see if neighbors were coming out, that's another possibility. What I see from the grainy video is that Liz was moving after the shooter ran off.

A neighbor who heard the shots called 911 immediately, one report said. I think neighbors came outside very quickly.

 

[borndem]

But what’s the point of getting proof? It’s going to be on the news.

True, but maybe this crime was personal, and the shooter wanted a pic, if one was taken, as a kind of "I won, you lost!" A token of pride or hate or a "Now you're gone!" type thing, etc.

 

[sl222]

Why did the killer wear boots? One reason maybe - boots can't fall off when you're running back to your car. More planning or just coincidence? MOO, the person who planned this out spent months and took every detail into consideration. If so, then they had to have written all this down. (speculation) Do the notes still exist of this "perfect" sick crime? If the planner of this crime was this thorough, he/she reads everything posted about this crime to this day. (speculation)

The planner had to also have the aftermath planned, including contact with the shooter (if the planner & shooter are 2 people), contact with anyone else who knows, the disposal/return of the truck of course, the disposal of the costume and the gun, preventing leaks (if more than one person is involved), preventing their notes from being found, and hiding any current notes tracking of the investigation and news reports and anything else that could point to them or their accomplices. I'm sure there's more along these lines to come up with.

 

[sl222]

You really don't see boots in this area unfortunately because it never gets very cold for very long.

 

[Betty P]

Why did the killer wear boots? One reason maybe - boots can't fall off when you're running back to your car. More planning or just coincidence? MOO, the person who planned this out spent months and took every detail into consideration. If so, then they had to have written all this down. (speculation) Do the notes still exist of this "perfect" sick crime? If the planner of this crime was this thorough, he/she reads everything posted about this crime to this day. (speculation)

The planner had to also have the aftermath planned, including contact with the shooter (if the planner & shooter are 2 people), contact with anyone else who knows, the disposal/return of the truck of course, the disposal of the costume and the gun, preventing leaks (if more than one person is involved), preventing their notes from being found, and hiding any current notes tracking of the investigation and news reports and anything else that could point to them or their accomplices. I'm sure there's more along these lines to come up with.

Considering it sounds like the killer was a man, they probably thought boots would cover up masculine looking legs or something. Maybe they were "over thinking" the costume. I have a feeling, though, that Elizabeth knew this was someone in a costume, but it all happened so quickly she didn't have time to figure out what was going on.

Unless the costume is really good, most women can spot when a man is dressed as a woman. At least I can.

 

[sl222]

Considering it sounds like the killer was a man, they probably thought boots would cover up masculine looking legs or something. Maybe they were "over thinking" the costume. I have a feeling, though, that Elizabeth knew this was someone in a costume, but it all happened so quickly she didn't have time to figure out what was going on.

Unless the costume is really good, most women can spot when a man is dressed as a woman. At least I can.

Great points. That person does look weird even from a distance, especially because of the boots. Like I said, you would *never* see them in Houston unless it was a costume. You're right, this does point more to a man with the need to cover up the legs.

 

[Turkeytrot]

The boots look like they could be this type IMO

 

[borndem]

You really don't see boots in this area unfortunately because it never gets very cold for very long.

Maybe that's the reason for the boots -- and/or to disguise the size of the feet of the shooter -- or the shooter bought a cheap pair of boots, planning to ditch them asap after the shooting -- or to appear to be masculine.

 

[Satchie]

The boots look like they could be this type IMO

I get the impression the boots could have had heels, just the way the perp 'sashays' up to Elizabeth and then is seemingly a bit constrained in how they run.

It does appear the perp isn't much taller than Elizabeth, but no one seems to know her height.

It appears to me the perp is openly carrying the gun, is that other people's impression?

 

[Turkeytrot]

I get the impression the boots could have had heels, just the way the perp 'sashays' up to Elizabeth and then is seemingly a bit constrained in how they run.

It does appear the perp isn't much taller than Elizabeth, but no one seems to know her height.

It appears to me the perp is openly carrying the gun, is that other people's impression?

According to a co-worker, she was roughly 5 ft 3. So average or just below average

I do see similar boots that have a heel too.

I'm thinking it could have been down in a pocket of the robe with them holding on to it. Because it seems they pull it out and Liz is startled by that.

 

[Satchie]

In addition to white boots potentially with heels, the shooter is likely wearing some kind of skirt under the trench coat/robe, that may also affect how she/he walks and runs.

Who dresses that way to shoot someone? Male or female, it's a peculiar get up. As though the person decided to dress fashionably.

IMO it implies a woman on her way to an office job - not that she was, but that might have been the 'look'.

 

[Satchie]

According to a co-worker, she was roughly 5 ft 3. So average or just below average

I do see similar boots that have a heel too.

I'm thinking it could have been down in a pocket of the robe with them holding on to it. Because it seems they pull it out and Liz is startled by that.

Thanks for the info.

I agree, it appears to me that Liz is initially startled and draws back on seeing the gun. But she does not run away, instead she's immediately drawn in by whatever the shooter shows her. She's not the slightest bit alarmed by this stranger, who may even have been flashing a gun.

Again, seems well planned, even rehearsed.

 

[sl222]

You can hear Liz gasp in fear though, several seconds before the shooting. She is definitely scared. I wonder if the shooter told her not to move or run. Or if once the shooter was up close, she knew the person.

I think she didn't, only because if she lived, she could have identified her killer, but who knows. She did survive until the afternoon of the next day. Since she was aware that she was being shot, I wonder if she knew or figured out the "reason" or the "who" behind the crime, or if she was told the real "reason" by the shooter. Even if the shooter didn't know about the doorbell camera, they'd know it was a possibility, and they'd know their voice could get recorded? But knowing the actual range of the camera would be tough to do without inside information.

I wonder if the person who planned this studied the Missy Beaver unsolved murder. Then there's the Amanda Blackburn case which also comes to mind. There were some very bizarre coincidences in that case, but it was committed by random robbers and murderers according to the investigation, and those men got apprehended. But I don't think this was random and the police have been clear about that from the beginning.