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

If Sergio was ever looking to cash in on the life insurance policy, I feel like he would have tried by now. He is a father now, that is very strong motivation to ask for a financial boost.
I think, Sergio knows very well, what would make him a suspect even more than before. Not sure, that he would like the thought.
 
I wonder if she had another life insurance policy or did her family and Sergio have to come up with a large sum of money for a funeral and burial? I apologize if that is not the correct manner of how things went after her death, as I am not fully aware of all details. If they did have to do that, I wonder if her parents had that kind of money to spare? Of course, you would find any means possible to care for your child after such a tragedy, but if neither had immediate cash for those things, is it suspicious that he DIDN’T attempt to cash in the policy?
I have to wonder if it is possible that he has involvement, did he just truly never imagine that he would be suspected or would be put in a position that the life insurance request would cast suspicion on him.
*My opinions.
 
I think, Sergio knows very well, what would make him a suspect even more than before. Not sure, that he would like the thought.
It does not make a spouse a suspect simply because they claim a benefit they paid for and are entitled to collect, without judgement by anyone. I say this as a member of LE. I respect that he is apparently not comfortable with the insurance and the unfortunate assumptions that will be made by complete strangers, if he received the money. There is not an iota of evidence that he had anything to do with her murder, I am sorry he has not had the fraction of relief that the insurance money may have offered.
 
It does not make a spouse a suspect simply because they claim a benefit they paid for and are entitled to collect, without judgement by anyone. I say this as a member of LE. I respect that he is apparently not comfortable with the insurance and the unfortunate assumptions that will be made by complete strangers, if he received the money. There is not an iota of evidence that he had anything to do with her murder, I am sorry he has not had the fraction of relief that the insurance money may have offered.
Except unless you’re a member of the investigative team on her case, then you don’t really know for sure if there’s any evidence against him do you? We simply aren’t privy to many things law enforcement knows and therefore can’t make any definite statements like that.
 
It does not make a spouse a suspect simply because they claim a benefit they paid for and are entitled to collect, without judgement by anyone. I say this as a member of LE. I respect that he is apparently not comfortable with the insurance and the unfortunate assumptions that will be made by complete strangers, if he received the money. There is not an iota of evidence that he had anything to do with her murder, I am sorry he has not had the fraction of relief that the insurance money may have offered.
I think you could argue that submitting a claim makes him appear innocent. If not involved, why would you be concerned that by submitting a claim, LE and the life insurance company would become even more suspicious of him? It's actually a moot point. Sgt. Ritchie stated that he informed Sergio that he would not be able to collect life insurance until he is cleared as a suspect. That's basically like saying, "you won't collect the life insurance until the case is solved."
 
I so much hope and pray that Liz's father is right in his confidence that the case is closer to resolution this year than it has been in years' past and that someone knows something and "$50,000 will bring that someone forward."

I don't know what Liz and Sergio's family plans were (and I sometimes wonder if the murder was to prevent those plans from being realized), but every time I look at Liz's parents, I think that these are two wonderful people who should be bouncing Liz's sparkly-eyed children on their knees and baking their favorite cookies for those grandchildren rather than going repeatedly public to keep the case of their daughter's murder from going cold.

Someone took that from Liz and Sergio and from Liz's parents and justice is long past due.
 
In every state, Life Insurance Companies are banned from paying off a claim to anyone guilty of murdering the insured on the policy. Generally, in the case of a homicide, companies will verify with the appropriate Law Enforcement agency that the beneficiary is not a suspect. When this verification is not provided, the company will usually withhold payment, for while at least. The company will then run into a different problem: they are contractually obligated to settle the claim in a timely manner. The beneficiary can sue to force payment and even receive additional compensation for Bad Faith. How this is handled comes down to state law, company discretion and how Law Enforcement presents the status of the beneficiary as a suspect.

Anyone, guilty or innocent, isn’t going to turn down a $500,000 payout. At first, if Sergio didn’t file a claim, it was because he knew they weren’t going to pay out right away. After a year, most people would be pursuing the money. After 5 years, the only way I can see a company continuing to deny settlement is if Law Enforcement tells the company they expect the beneficiary to be prosecuted. If they are still withholding payment, it is suggestive that there is serious evidence against Sergio we are unaware of. But, do we know that Sergio hasn’t been paid? That isn’t public record and the police might withhold that information.
 

We Remember Memorial Project

Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsay P.E. working with Crime Stoppers of Houston, and Rosemary and I have embarked on an ambitious program to create a place of remembrance in all 72 parks in Precinct 3.

Each installation will include a tree, a special bench with an inscription, and a permanent sign with information on the memorial. Crime Stoppers of Houston will be providing the trees for these memorials and will select the Victim families to receive the dedication. We will all work together to ensure the completion of each installation.

The QR Code on the sign leads to a page on the Crime Stoppers of Houston website:
We Remember | Crime Stoppers Of Houston
 
Does anyone know if the truck that was stopped by law enforcement could be ruled out as the killer's vehicle based on video footage they obtained? Meaning, was the vehicle stopped at a time that wouldn't have been possible if it was the same truck when compared to the footage they have of the killer driving by commercial security cameras? I know Detective Ritchie said the truck didn't have the decal on the side of it but apparently it had every other feature. What are the odds of that? Is it possible to have a sticker that could be easily taken off or maybe it was drawn on with a special marker and quickly washed off after?
 
Does anyone know if the truck that was stopped by law enforcement could be ruled out as the killer's vehicle based on video footage they obtained? Meaning, was the vehicle stopped at a time that wouldn't have been possible if it was the same truck when compared to the footage they have of the killer driving by commercial security cameras? I know Detective Ritchie said the truck didn't have the decal on the side of it but apparently it had every other feature. What are the odds of that? Is it possible to have a sticker that could be easily taken off or maybe it was drawn on with a special marker and quickly washed off after?
Maybe a magnetic decal. Idk
 
What Happened to Elizabeth (Liz) Barraza on January 25, 2019

On the morning of January 25, 2019, 29-year-old Elizabeth "Liz" Barraza was fatally shot in the driveway of her home in Tomball, TX, a suburb of Houston in Harris County. The incident occurred just before 7:00 a.m. as she was setting up for a garage sale in the 8600 block of Cedar Walk Drive. Liz and her husband, SB, had planned the sale to raise extra money for their upcoming fifth wedding anniversary trip. SB had left for work around 6:48 am, leaving Liz alone to prepare.

Surveillance footage from a neighbor’s camera and the Barrazas’ own doorbell camera captured the chilling sequence of events. At approximately 6:52 a.m., a dark-colored pickup truck pulled up across the street from the Barraza residence. An unidentified individual exited the driver’s side, leaving the engine running, and approached Liz in the driveway. The suspect appeared to be wearing a disguise—possibly a wig, a long jacket or robe, and tall boots.

The doorbell camera recorded a brief exchange: Liz greeted the person with a “Good morning,” suggesting she may have thought they were an early customer. Within seconds, the suspect drew a revolver (speculation) and fired three shots at point-blank range, striking Liz. As she fell to the ground, the assailant stepped over her and fired a fourth shot, believed to be to her head, before fleeing back to the truck. The entire encounter lasted less than 30 seconds.

About two minutes later, the same vehicle was captured driving past the house again, possibly to confirm Liz’s death.
Neighbors heard the gunshots and called 911. Emergency responders rushed Liz to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where she was pronounced dead the following day, January 26, 2019.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) described the attack as “calculated, premeditated, and pitiless,” noting that nothing was stolen from the driveway or home, ruling out robbery as a motive.


Who Is Responsible for Shooting Her?

As of February 23, 2025, the identity of Liz Barraza’s killer remains unknown, and the case is still unsolved. The HCSO has not publicly named a suspect, despite extensive investigation efforts, including analyzing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and following up on tips from around the world. The shooter’s disguise and the use of a revolver—which does not eject shell casings—have complicated efforts to gather physical evidence.

Several theories have emerged, though none have been confirmed:
  • Murder-for-Hire: Liz’s father, BN Jr., has publicly stated his belief that the shooting was a paid hit, citing the premeditated nature of the attack and the suspect’s knowledge of Liz’s location that morning. However, no motive or mastermind has been identified.
  • Personal Connection: Some speculate the killer knew Liz or SB, given the timing (just after SB left) and the fact that few people were aware of the unpublicized garage sale. Sergio has faced public suspicion but has cooperated fully with authorities, passing polygraph tests and providing no evidence of involvement.
  • Random Act or Opportunity: Others suggest it could have been a crime of opportunity or even a gang initiation, though the precision of the attack leans against randomness.
The HCSO has pursued leads, including traveling to Miami in 2022 to interview a person of interest, but no arrests have been made.

A $50,000 reward from Crime Stoppers of Houston remains active for information leading to the suspect’s identification and arrest.


What Type of Vehicle Was Used?

The vehicle used in the crime is a dark-colored Nissan Frontier Pro 4X Crew Cab, likely from 2013 or newer.

Surveillance footage from multiple neighborhood cameras captured the truck before, during, and after the shooting. It is a four-door pickup, not a common model, which investigators have emphasized as a key clue. The truck was seen driving past the house, parking across the street during the attack, and returning shortly afterward. Despite extensive efforts to trace it, including appeals to the public to identify similar vehicles, its origin and owner remain unknown.

Liz Barraza’s murder continues to baffle investigators and haunt her family, who describe her as a kind, generous person and an avid Star Wars fan who volunteered with the 501st Legion to cheer up sick children. The case remains active, with authorities urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477). Until new evidence emerges, the question of who killed Liz—and why—remains unanswered.


Speculation, Its just an opinion
 
It is very mind-boggling to me that after SIX YEARS, the vehicle owner has not been identified. How did they not (or did they and I'm not aware), generate a list of owners and renters of that vehicle, sort it from closest to farthest from the crime, and methodically go thru EVERY SINGLE ONE?? You don't even need to find the actual vehicle at this point, and it's possibly been destroyed by now. But paper trails and conversations should have led to an owner by now.

Geez. If my way of thinking is wrong here, please explain.
 
It wouldn't be the first time an early tip/vehicle was dismissed in error.

JMO

It is very mind-boggling to me that after SIX YEARS, the vehicle owner has not been identified. How did they not (or did they and I'm not aware), generate a list of owners and renters of that vehicle, sort it from closest to farthest from the crime, and methodically go thru EVERY SINGLE ONE?? You don't even need to find the actual vehicle at this point, and it's possibly been destroyed by now. But paper trails and conversations should have led to an owner by now.

Geez. If my way of thinking is wrong here, please explain.

I agree. I still feel like that early traffic stop in the area of a Nissan truck like the one in the video is the crucial piece of the puzzle. I wish investigators would go back and reexamine that. MOO.
 
It is very mind-boggling to me that after SIX YEARS, the vehicle owner has not been identified. How did they not (or did they and I'm not aware), generate a list of owners and renters of that vehicle, sort it from closest to farthest from the crime, and methodically go thru EVERY SINGLE ONE?? You don't even need to find the actual vehicle at this point, and it's possibly been destroyed by now. But paper trails and conversations should have led to an owner by now.

Geez. If my way of thinking is wrong here, please explain.
I sure hope they did. If vehicle was borrowed from someone with no red flags whatsoever, they have to ripple map each known match. But might not even know ripples that go beyond family members.
 

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