TX TX - Elizabeth Barraza, 29, murdered setting up garage sale, Harris Co, Jan 2019 #5

[lonewanderer]

I've been very reluctant to seriously consider the cosplay motivation theory (usually because they often are justified by comments about cosplayers being weirdos and somehow capable of murder, which is so far out of the realm of most nerdy people I know who enjoy this sort of thing that it's almost offensive to me) but your theory is well thought out and very plausible. And, of course, unhinged, jealous people exist in all kinds of hobbies, just look at Kaitlyn Armstrong, as you've brought up.

I've been 100 per cent centered on this being a very close to home murder, but you make a very compelling case. Given that Sergio mentioned her, though, you would think that law-enforcement had completely checked out this person that you suspect. I hadn't envisioned somebody like that being able to cover their tracks so thoroughly but then again, sometimes people get lucky.

Regardless of who is responsible Always hopeful for justice for Liz! May the Force prevail!

I am actually holding back quite a bit on further reasons why I believe the shooter is who I think she is.

 

[lonewanderer]

I googled searched trading cards 501st legion and wow, I didn't realize how popular the trading cards are! I took a dive in their reddit page and learned their costumes cost 1000s.There seems to be a significant investment in time and money to get approval for a trading card. I wonder if the perp held up a trading card to Liz.

As I had mentioned early, I wish we could get an itemized list of the items Liz was intending to sell that morning.

A costly, handmade item being sold for pennies could be motivation, especially if that item was made specifically for Liz, Liz won it over someone, or Liz was gifted it (knowing or not knowing) it was carefully handmade for someone else.

I think the shooter is most likely holding up a picture of that item or a picture of Liz wearing a costume that would encroach on one of their approved costumes.

Liz had JUST got approved for Jawa, afterall. Was this more behind this that could have really struck a nerve with someone?

 

[lonewanderer]

I echo your sentiments. I'm not fully convinced it was SB ordering a hit but I thought perhaps a love triangle but there has never been any confirmation of one to my knowledge. His behavior did seem odd and I know he moved on fast. But I personally know of a spouse of a murdered victim who remarried quick. However, he couldn't cope with the trauma of the loss and ended up taking his own life a couple years later. It humbled me and made me realize one can assume they'll deal with trauma a certain way but unless we are in those awful shoes, we don't really know.

This actually seems to happen quite often, a man or woman remarries quickly after their spouse passes away. The people that don't actually want to be married at all tend to be the people who murder their spouse and don't remarry again quickly, if it all.

But I observed with Sergio, many of his pics with Liz make him look like a bit of a "chubby nerd" type. In his recent pics, he looks like he has got into much better shape, has a sleeve tattoo (if he didn't have it before) and dresses much nicer. That was just in the couple of pics I've seen here and there in comparison, I could be completely off the mark.

 

[FromGermany1]

This actually seems to happen quite often, a man or woman remarries quickly after their spouse passes away. The people that don't actually want to be married at all tend to be the people who murder their spouse and don't remarry again quickly, if it all.

But I observed with Sergio, many of his pics with Liz make him look like a bit of a "chubby nerd" type. In his recent pics, he looks like he has got into much better shape, has a sleeve tattoo (if he didn't have it before) and dresses much nicer. That was just in the couple of pics I've seen here and there in comparison, I could be completely off the mark.

Very interesting, I have to look for myself. Though SB is getting older as we all are, and his changing maybe owned to that?

 

[FromGermany1]

I am actually holding back quite a bit on further reasons why I believe the shooter is who I think she is.

What a pity. I would want to know.

 

[FromGermany1]

As I had mentioned early, I wish we could get an itemized list of the items Liz was intending to sell that morning.

A costly, handmade item being sold for pennies could be motivation, especially if that item was made specifically for Liz, Liz won it over someone, or Liz was gifted it (knowing or not knowing) it was carefully handmade for someone else.

I think the shooter is most likely holding up a picture of that item or a picture of Liz wearing a costume that would encroach on one of their approved costumes.

Liz had JUST got approved for Jawa, afterall. Was this more behind this that could have really struck a nerve with someone?

"Jawa" doesn't seem to be a nice costume as I would have thought to be one of Liz' costumes? Speaking as a Star Wars-layman.

 

[Charlot123]

I echo your sentiments. I'm not fully convinced it was SB ordering a hit but I thought perhaps a love triangle but there has never been any confirmation of one to my knowledge. His behavior did seem odd and I know he moved on fast. But I personally know of a spouse of a murdered victim who remarried quick. However, he couldn't cope with the trauma of the loss and ended up taking his own life a couple years later. It humbled me and made me realize one can assume they'll deal with trauma a certain way but unless we are in those awful shoes, we don't really know.

Maybe there are people for whom it is difficult to remain single?

SB moved on fast. So did one of our friends who lost his very muched loved wife to illness. At the time of the illness he did not even know his future second wife. He remarried 18 mo later, and no one threw a stone at him, as he was left without a wife, with a teenager at home and an old mom. Life goes on. I think if people are scared of own memories, too, this is why they are trying to move away having lost the spouse.

If SB also left cosplay, and (this we know) sold his house and is leading a totally different life, then maybe he knows something or has a guess, but, not being part of it, he moved not only on but away. Indeed, it might be so that him marrying fast was related to being scared. He was spared because the "beef" was between LB and the killer, not between SB and the killer. What the killer thought we don't know, but obviously, tried to avoid killing a potential witness? Didn't want to overkill? Then the only thing SB might be culpable of would be not telling all he knows, but having a new wife and kids, he might be simply guided by fear.

I have two questions. I know he and his current wife spoke about similar experience. It is all in latest articles.

Does anyone know if SB left cosplay scene or not?

Widower opens up 4 years after wife was shot to death while setting up for garage sale at Tomball home

Sergio Barraza said he knows a lot of people consider him the prime suspect in her death but says he's done everything he can to help investigators solve the case.

www.khou.com

 

[glassheater]

Maybe there are people for whom it is difficult to remain single?

SB moved on fast. So did one of our friends who lost his very muched loved wife to illness. At the time of the illness he did not even know his future second wife. He remarried 18 mo later, and no one threw a stone at him, as he was left without a wife, with a teenager at home and an old mom. Life goes on. I think if people are scared of own memories, too, this is why they are trying to move away having lost the spouse.

If SB also left cosplay, and (this we know) sold his house and is leading a totally different life, then maybe he knows something or has a guess, but, not being part of it, he moved not only on but away. Indeed, it might be so that him marrying fast was related to being scared.

Agree with you on all points.

But I observed with Sergio, many of his pics with Liz make him look like a bit of a "chubby nerd" type. In his recent pics, he looks like he has got into much better shape, has a sleeve tattoo (if he didn't have it before) and dresses much nicer. That was just in the couple of pics I've seen here and there in comparison, I could be completely off the mark.

I don’t much too much weight on the changes. I think what he’s been through was enough for him to find other outlets, thankfully ones that seem to be positive.

 

[fridaybaker]

In my experience men, especially ones who had been happily married, often remarry quickly. They like being married! They don’t want to be alone.

 

[glassheater]

Does anyone know if SB left cosplay scene or not?

Widower opens up 4 years after wife was shot to death while setting up for garage sale at Tomball home

Sergio Barraza said he knows a lot of people consider him the prime suspect in her death but says he's done everything he can to help investigators solve the case.

www.khou.com

He’s still listed on the website under costume resources and his profile was last updated 2021. It seems SB is still involved in some capacity.

 

[fridaybaker]

I can never remember this. Can someone remind me? The truck and Sergio never passed each other, right?

Now, how could the timing have been so exact? I’m wondering if a lookout was either parked along the way or in a different vehicle.

Also, have we ruled out hacking into theirs or a neighbor’s nest camera?

And, certainly, a neighbor could have served as lookout. All in the comfy, safe confines of their own home.

 

[Cryptic]

I've been very reluctant to seriously consider the cosplay motivation theory (usually because they often are justified by comments about cosplayers being weirdos and somehow capable of murder, which is so far out of the realm of most nerdy people I know who enjoy this sort of thing that it's almost offensive to me)

Objectively, I share your sentiments. I have limited on again, off again contact with another intensive, adult nerd hobby (War Hammer game with associated miniature painting. Others paint historical metal soldiers, play historical war game etc).

As you implied.... People whose social skills could use some uhmm...."enhancement"? We have those. People for whom the hobby is their sole consuming interest? Yes, they are there. Plain olde weirdos? Not unheard of- at all.

As you stated.... The group is nerdy but passive. None appear to have aggressive tendencies. They also accept all who have an interest in some aspect of their hobby.

I have seen an elderly religious conservative, a gender fluid person, and a guy whose T shirt implied that women are barbarian pillage prizes (wonders why he does not get second dates?) in the same small room.

Subjectively, however, I think there are some aspects of 501 Legion cosplay that could increase the chance of an unhinged participant:

- A former cosplay participant in a different genre stated that a when cosplayers get in deep, they get in very deep. A noticeable minority derived all their self respect, social status, friends, and even chosen family from cosplay.

- Dollar Cost. 501 Legion cosplay is expensive with the need for movie set costumes. If 501 legion ceases to "work" for somebody, they can be out what, thousands of dollars? And.... also out the prestige of being a member in the apex group. Other groups are out there, but are just not the same.

 

[Ajs1004]

Is a permit required for a garage sale there?
Possibly a city employee selling a permit unknowingly tells someone else where the sales are, addresses...

No permit needed. And garage sales on Fridays are so common here in Texas. A lot of people have Fridays off.

Also, I know this gets mentioned a lot, but I haven’t seen it lately. The Nissan truck did drive by their house around 2am that morning. Probably trying to familiarize themselves with the route that they were going to take. So it seems unlikely that this was just someone that could have seen a garage sale sign and wanted to steal something.

 

[Sjöberg]

The problem is, such people don't look as nutty as they are.

This is partly why I think this crime had a very personal motive, probably some sort of jealousy and revenge related. The person might even have never ever had any other violent urges, neither before nor after. Revenge is a powerful thing, even very kind and caring people can have this one thing they are suddenly willing to do all kinds of things for.

The Nissan truck did drive by their house around 2am that morning. Probably trying to familiarize themselves with the route that they were going to take. So it seems unlikely that this was just someone that could have seen a garage sale sign and wanted to steal something.

This also hints that it is more likely to be someone who had not been there before. At least not recently enough to trust the previous experience and Maps enough for final planning.

I still wonder if it could have been something from many years ago. That EB had moved on ages ago, but someone else was still obsessing about, all these years later.

 

[I am not Sherlock H.]

No permit needed. And garage sales on Fridays are so common here in Texas. A lot of people have Fridays off.

Also, I know this gets mentioned a lot, but I haven’t seen it lately. The Nissan truck did drive by their house around 2am that morning. Probably trying to familiarize themselves with the route that they were going to take. So it seems unlikely that this was just someone that could have seen a garage sale sign and wanted to steal something.

Excellent points here. And that also leads thoughts in certain directions I believe. I’ve wondered who was it that was pushing to have the garage sale that day and morning? And in particular with a planned impending vacation that weekend.(Because that early garage sale preparation was what resulted in the victim being available outside at that time.)

Portions of this sure seem scripted. Maybe we just don’t know the author(s) and actor(s) yet. MOO

 

[FromGermany1]

Excellent points here. And that also leads thoughts in certain directions I believe. I’ve wondered who was it that was pushing to have the garage sale that day and morning? And in particular with a planned impending vacation that weekend.(Because that early garage sale preparation was what resulted in the victim being available outside at that time.)

Portions of this sure seem scripted. Maybe we just don’t know the author(s) and actor(s) yet. MOO

I think, it was more Liz' planning than SB's, because she even had to take a day off from her work (he had a normal working day). BUT her husband would certainly know of her planning.

 

[lonewanderer]

Objectively, I share your sentiments. I have limited on again, off again contact with another intensive, adult nerd hobby (War Hammer game with associated miniature painting. Others paint historical metal soldiers, play historical war game etc).

As you implied.... People whose social skills could use some uhmm...."enhancement"? We have those. People for whom the hobby is their sole consuming interest? Yes, they are there. Plain olde weirdos? Not unheard of- at all.

As you stated.... The group is nerdy but passive. None appear to have aggressive tendencies. They also accept all who have an interest in some aspect of their hobby.

I have seen an elderly religious conservative, a gender fluid person, and a guy whose T shirt implied that women are barbarian pillage prizes (wonders why he does not get second dates?) in the same small room.

Subjectively, however, I think there are some aspects of 501 Legion cosplay that could increase the chance of an unhinged participant:

- A former cosplay participant in a different genre stated that a when cosplayers get in deep, they get in very deep. A noticeable minority derived all their self respect, social status, friends, and even chosen family from cosplay.

- Dollar Cost. 501 Legion cosplay is expensive with the need for movie set costumes. If 501 legion ceases to "work" for somebody, they can be out what, thousands of dollars? And.... also out the prestige of being a member in the apex group. Other groups are out there, but are just not the same.

Found this tidbit interesting for a couple of reasons:

"The Star Wars based costume community aids and supports primarily those charities that help children such as the Starlight Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, and UNICEF. All of these costuming groups have to create their own movie quality costumes, with guidelines set down by Lucas films. Due to manufacturing licenses, no one in these groups area allowed to have any store bought components to their outfits.The 501st, the costuming group that based their costume ideas off the Imperial Stormtroopers and officers from the Star Wars franchise have been around the longest where the Mandalorian Mercs and Rebel Legion are the newer part of these groups."
Link: Rebels With A Cause

 

[glassheater]

Who and where are these elaborate costumes created?

 

[Sjöberg]

Do school buses have dash cams? Do we have the route and times the school bus took? I understand that LE has collected all video like that, but is there any hope the culprits car might be caught on it, unexpectedly?

 

[Charlot123]

I Googled 501st Legion (sorry, didn’t watch Star Wars in childhood as it was not available where I grew up). But in general, be it the Marathon battle reenactment, or a knight tournament or something else, it is all the same. Bright people, very dedicated to their area of interests and… well, unusual. I knew some people who were making own costumes, they also had online stores where they’d sell “stuff for sensory people” before it became commonplace, so, bright.

If we are talking about the cost of the outfit, how much is it?

Also, I saw that they are invited to perform at hospitals, etc, so some $$$ ? Right? And there is a “trooper of the month”, so, not unlike Boy Scouts? There may be a lot of rivalry.

ETA. About the personalities. Not all are introverted. I'd say, "romantic". I'd guess the one who make Here is an interesting story. A British jouster who was killed during a reenactment for TV. His wife, herself a reenactor, said he would not dream of a better death.

And I can imagine, people are people and may have issues, but I think this common shared obsession is a strong bond.

Jouster killed in freak accident when shattered lance spears him through the eye during Time Team re-enactment

Paul Allen, 54. was not wearing his shield properly when he took part in the joust, an inquest heard today.

www.dailymail.co.uk