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

[sunspun]

It is 50/50. Either the source had all the clues, but it is impossible to prove, or the source that we have not considered was, and is, clueless that the information was provided. The latter would be Christine Jessop’s’ case.

I would be interested in how the killers avoided any Wi-Fi /GPS contacts. Who could be aware of everything that people close to Liz knew but also, that the Goddard school would have no inet that night?

I agree the killer may have known about the school's cameras being inoperative, but I can just as easily believe that they didn't know. They pulled into the school parking lot for only a moment, and then basically pulled right back out and left to go sit and wait in another (undisclosed) location. Maybe they saw that the school had cameras as soon as they parked there, didn't know they weren't working, which made them decide to quickly leave that lot and find a new place to wait. Someplace without cameras, I assume. Or without cameras that they could see.

And I believe what they were waiting on at that point was for Sergio to leave for work. Could they see their house from either the school parking lot (I don't think they could) or from the next spot they went to (possible?) Maybe that was another reason they left the school lot, was to drive to a place where they could see the house from (or, if not the house, possibly the route that Sergio would be expected to take as he left for work, so they could catch a glimpse of his vehicle and know it was time to head for the house).

 

[kityy]

i personally feel like this case is quite chilling, still shrouded in mystery @friendlysleuther said how odd the timing is, and this made me realise, what if it was intentionally uncoordinated? maybe it was meant to be messy? perhaps they had a twin? this is all so chilling and disturbing! (by the way, im extremely new so im working on my skills)

 

[sunspun]

i personally feel like this case is quite chilling, still shrouded in mystery @friendlysleuther said how odd the timing is, and this made me realise, what if it was intentionally uncoordinated? maybe it was meant to be messy? perhaps they had a twin? this is all so chilling and disturbing! (by the way, im extremely new so im working on my skills)

Yes, this has to be my most baffling case. If I could choose just one case to be magically solved somehow, I think this would be the one.

Welcome to WS!!

 

[jennytrevor]

There was a case (whose name is escaping me), where law enforcement was able to identify suspects by seeing who had used Google to look up a particular case. I wonder if they could do something similar here, but to see who was using Google Maps to scout out Liz’s neighborhood prior to the shooting? Though of course if they were neighbors or otherwise knew where she lived without Googling, this wouldn’t work. At the same time, this lack of researching would also tell investigators something.

 

[kityy]

We know the victim's identity, but how much do we really know about her history? I mean, normally if the killer is a serial killer (lets say the killer was a serial killer) they would have motive? is that just me? maybe this isn't the first victim? maybe this twisted tail goes further than anticipated?

 

[sunspun]

We know the victim's identity, but how much do we really know about her history? I mean, normally if the killer is a serial killer (lets say the killer was a serial killer) they would have motive? is that just me? maybe this isn't the first victim? maybe this twisted tail goes further than anticipated?

Well, I will say that at this point, I feel there's not much we don't know about Liz, except, of course, who ended her life AND WHY.

Her poor parents have just been OUT THERE front and center for all the years since her murder... talk shows, interviews, podcasts, their own website, their PI... I mean, I know a person can keep secrets from their parents, but I feel that Liz didn't have much in the way of secrets. I think her parents feel they knew her very well. And they've shared it all with us, the public, hoping that their message will get to someone who knows something, and will tell something that helps solve the case. And Sergio, her husband, he also has done interviews and talked and talked about Liz and their life together, especially with their very active participation in the 501 (was that what it's called?)

But having said that, I think he could talk more about his own father. Sergio said he suspected his own father at some point, but I don't know if he still does now. But that's the theory I lean toward the most in this case. But it's hard to really lean into it without knowing more! I'd like to see an interview w/his father (if he's even still alive!) so I could judge for myself what kind of person he is and if he had it in him to involve himself in something like this. JMO!

 

[kityy]

hello again. i understand the thing of her parents knowing her but you cant always trust everyone with everything. what if she knew her killer, but never really saw the danger? this is a terrifying, but very much possible story. we never see the danger, until it's right in front of us. plus, liz was fairly young at the time, and strikes me as a lively girl. maybe she was unaware of her world around her

 

[Charlot123]

I agree the killer may have known about the school's cameras being inoperative, but I can just as easily believe that they didn't know. They pulled into the school parking lot for only a moment, and then basically pulled right back out and left to go sit and wait in another (undisclosed) location. Maybe they saw that the school had cameras as soon as they parked there, didn't know they weren't working, which made them decide to quickly leave that lot and find a new place to wait. Someplace without cameras, I assume. Or without cameras that they could see.

And I believe what they were waiting on at that point was for Sergio to leave for work. Could they see their house from either the school parking lot (I don't think they could) or from the next spot they went to (possible?) Maybe that was another reason they left the school lot, was to drive to a place where they could see the house from (or, if not the house, possibly the route that Sergio would be expected to take as he left for work, so they could catch a glimpse of his vehicle and know it was time to head for the house).

The recently solved case of Namiko Takaba amply illustrates that the perpetrator does not, technically speaking, need an understandable (to us) motive. Their motives can be primitive, nutty, and in general, resolved by a qualified therapist in three sessions, yet they do the stuff that messes up people's lives. Another case, however, can’t get out of my head. The boss of international thieves’ gang who said that major heists can not be successful until there is an insider helping.

So given how careful Liz was and how successful the murderer is, it seems we have to ask ourselves why the murder was successful at each stage. I don’t accept one theory, that it was missed identity. The rest - stranger things happened.

How did they get to know about the sale? About Liz’ dad pullling out the last moment? (Was it an intentionally set up interview? Did dad ever get the call back?). About the orientation of the nest cameras? About Sergio’s hours? And yes, about the lack of cameras on Goddard achool that night and perhaps, at the other place where they were waiting at? The only reason I mention Goddard school is that its workers’ connection with the family need to be checked IMHO. Maybe someone retired soon after the murders.

The two people driving in a similar car who were stopped that day, who were they and what they said? Did the patrol officer have his camera on? If not, why?

I think there may be several scenarios here, one, 50% chance that intimate partner is involved. The other 50% that he is not but both he and Liz were open, gregarious people who over shared information. If people stayed in their house, could they have access to their internet from old times? Perhaps the killers were living in the neighborhood, just rented the car?

There may be "a 50% uninvolvement" situation when the grudge could have been kept for years. Hence, I would like to know Liz's general outlook on life. Not cosplay-related, but a wider one?

 

[sunspun]

hello again. i understand the thing of her parents knowing her but you cant always trust everyone with everything. what if she knew her killer, but never really saw the danger? this is a terrifying, but very much possible story.

Well, in the theory I mentioned in my last post, that would be pretty much exactly how it was... just like you said - knew the killer but didn't see the danger. Until it was too late. But I know we don't know...

 

[kityy]

@Charlot123, i just realised, all these things about how 'her parents knew her well' and all the mystery surrounding her parents, could there be some... hidden secrets? what if her parents (at least her father) aren't the same, loving people we know?

 

[Charlot123]

hello again. i understand the thing of her parents knowing her but you cant always trust everyone with everything. what if she knew her killer, but never really saw the danger? this is a terrifying, but very much possible story. we never see the danger, until it's right in front of us. plus, liz was fairly young at the time, and strikes me as a lively girl. maybe she was unaware of her world around her

Very possible. Aren't 9/10 of the villains from "he was such a good neighbor, i am shocked" group? Also, looking at Nagoya case, I am remembering the first thing that the police said to the widower, "you guys are such nice people, I can't imagine anyone wishing you ill." Yet, all that was needed was just one.

 

[Charlot123]

@Charlot123, i just realised, all these things about how 'her parents knew her well' and all the mystery surrounding her parents, could there be some... hidden secrets? what if her parents (at least her father) aren't the same, loving people we know?

Anyone can have secrets and the murder can be in revenge to anyone.

But I personally tend to think that most likely, Liz, being mature, separated emotionally and didn't report all details of her life to the parents. Maybe they shared different beliefs, even. The irony? I think the knowledge that could have expedited solving the case is so random and maybe not even about Liz herself, but they'd not forget it if they knew. She merely never shared all the details of her life with the parents. It could have been, "why did you even get involved, not your business" situation. This is what I strongly suspect.

 

[Kittybunny]

@Charlot123, i just realised, all these things about how 'her parents knew her well' and all the mystery surrounding her parents, could there be some... hidden secrets? what if her parents (at least her father) aren't the same, loving people we know?

There are secrets and mystery surrounding her father-in-law. There’s no mystery surrounding her parents. They’ve given countless interviews and have been really open. Unless I missed something major?

 

[kityy]

There are secrets and mystery surrounding her father-in-law. There’s no mystery surrounding her parents. They’ve given countless interviews and have been really open. Unless I missed something major?

sorry, i meant father-in-law. my mistake, typo

 

[kityy]

perhaps her father-in-law was more than supportive... perhaps he met Liz, and got a bit... crazy. if he were raised in an unstable home, obsessiveness wouldn't be a wild possibility. after all, Jeffrey Dahmer killed out of unstable upbringing, and dangerous obsession, perhaps we may have something similar? such things are common, and Liz's father-in-law is very mysterious. unless, of course, the law decided to keep things covered up for the time being, seeing as the law force are usually uptight on their work?

 

[Kittybunny]

perhaps her father-in-law was more than supportive... perhaps he met Liz, and got a bit... crazy. if he were raised in an unstable home, obsessiveness wouldn't be a wild possibility. after all, Jeffrey Dahmer killed out of unstable upbringing, and dangerous obsession, perhaps we may have something similar? such things are common, and Liz's father-in-law is very mysterious. unless, of course, the law decided to keep things covered up for the time being, seeing as the law force are usually uptight on their work?

Are you thinking of a Susan Powell type scenario? I don’t think that’s the case here. Liz was very angry with her father-in-law for the affairs he was having and the money that he was taking from her husband to fund them. If the father-in-law was responsible, it was because she was becoming a problem. (IMO)

I highly recommend reading from the beginning of this thread at least to catch up and learn about the various theories.

 

[Charlot123]

Yes, this has to be my most baffling case. If I could choose just one case to be magically solved somehow, I think this would be the one.

Welcome to WS!!

I agree. It is a horribly unfair case.

Either the person/persons you trust most is/are quietly sleuthing each of your steps, and knows the inevitable, but you have no inkling, planning your future life. Which is horrible.

Or, you are so kind, social and generous that you allow a person to come close to you, maybe stay in your house, get on your wi-fi, essentially, sleuth you and then, alone or with a group, plan eliminating you.

Either way, it is something horrible.

 

[Charlot123]

Question to those who knows internet security better than me.

Liz was going to hospitals, coordinating 501st events, meeting at a certain local 501 facility, traveling. She might have been using public WiFi’s or private WiFi’s accessible to other 501 members.

Any chance that her own phone could be simply hacked into due to it? So that people could read her messages or trace her movements?

The father changing his mind the last moment is very, very telling. I truly doubt that the murderers planned to kill two people. (Way more risk). So whenever the father changed his mind, they were aware of the “window of opportunity” pretty fast.

Did Liz and her dad talk about change of plans, or exchange messages?

There is one very obvious scenario explaining how the killers found out so soon. But, we also still have to consider the chance of it being someone else. Close to Liz, but different.

In the YouTube interview, Liz’s friends mentioned lots of Liz and Sergio’s acquaintances spending the time in their house. One possibility is, certain guests used to sign into their wi-fi and had a chance to do it on multiple occasions. The second one, that Liz’s own phone could be hacked into.

But that had to be someone well-acquainted with IT. A person that may not be hard to find among 501 cosplayers, or simply in Houston.

 

[kityy]

Question to those who knows internet security better than me.

Liz was going to hospitals, coordinating 501st events, meeting at a certain local 501 facility, traveling. She might have been using public WiFi’s or private WiFi’s accessible to other 501 members.

Any chance that her own phone could be simply hacked into due to it? So that people could read her messages or trace her movements?

The father changing his mind the last moment is very, very telling. I truly doubt that the murderers planned to kill two people. (Way more risk). So whenever the father changed his mind, they were aware of the “window of opportunity” pretty fast.

Did Liz and her dad talk about change of plans, or exchange messages?

There is one very obvious scenario explaining how the killers found out so soon. But, we also still have to consider the chance of it being someone else. Close to Liz, but different.

In the YouTube interview, Liz’s friends mentioned lots of Liz and Sergio’s acquaintances spending the time in their house. One possibility is, certain guests used to sign into their wi-fi and had a chance to do it on multiple occasions. The second one, that Liz’s own phone could be hacked into.

But that had to be someone well-acquainted with IT. A person that may not be hard to find among 501 cosplayers, or simply in Houston.

Hello, after reading this message, i think it could then be very possible that the killer, if it were the father, may have accessed the internet several times since they would presumably see each other often. the question really is, did they have the skill to hack it. although, that being said, the idea of them texting brings a flurry of new questions. could the wifi company potentially access her phone and then check the texts? or maybe someone knows how to log onto her phone and we could see the texts? the only issue is, if this has happened, the police may have kept this hidden for legal protocol, as they tend to do.

 

[Charlot123]

Hello, after reading this message, i think it could then be very possible that the killer, if it were the father, may have accessed the internet several times since they would presumably see each other often. the question really is, did they have the skill to hack it. although, that being said, the idea of them texting brings a flurry of new questions. could the wifi company potentially access her phone and then check the texts? or maybe someone knows how to log onto her phone and we could see the texts? the only issue is, if this has happened, the police may have kept this hidden for legal protocol, as they tend to do.

Dear @kityy

There is a website, who killed Liz Barraza, made by Liz's parents. It has the timeline, the whole information about the murder and the interview with Liz's parents. Her parents are the main victims and Not in any way suspected by the community. I would recommend you to get the information about the case there

The community around this case is somewhat split. As usual, the typical suspects would be

- an intimate partner, in this case, Liz's husband Sergio or someone around him

- someone else.

In this case, no one has been cleared so we can discuss both versions but version 1 I leave to the police.

I am discussing version number 2 because it is still very credible. It doesn't mean that I am not considering version 1 plausible, but there is enough information about it elsewhere.

Version nr. 2 does Not in any way view Liz's father as the suspect, god forbid! I am alluding to the well-known fact, which has been discussed many times, here and in other places.

Liz was very cautious and aware of the surroundings. For her to do a garage sale alone and early in the darkness would be unusual. The plan would have been for either Sergio or her parents to be there with her.

Sergio, we are told, was busy. Liz's mom is not an early riser. Her dad planned to start the sale with Liz. However, it so happened that at the last moment he decided to dedicate his time to looking for a job.
(How i understand it: he lost a job. It is possible that he had a last moment interview scheduled and decided to go there. Or such). But that change of plan was virtually the last moment thing.

So...here is where people diverge in opinions. Some believe that the killers could take a risk and kill two people should dad be there with Liz. I feel that the killers were too cautious. They sat in the car, waiting till Sergio would leave. Chances are, they would not attack Liz if she were with dad. Liz was cornered alone and the attack was planned, but they would not do it so easily with Liz and her dad there.

So they had to know about the sudden window of opportunity: that Liz would be standing next to the garage, alone, in the dark morning. Question is, who told them if this "window" opened virtually the last moment?

The murderers had to be very close to Liz.

Version 1 is too obvious.

Version 2, someone else (not the husband) had some access to her information. How?

This is why i am discussing "who could hack into Liz's phone?"

All threads are here but I got more from the website "who killed Liz Barraza", made by Liz's parents who appear great people committed to helping the daughter, and it will be the faster way to know everything about Liz's story.