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

[Charlot123]

Is Sergio still into star wars geeky stuff , or has he completely moved on from that lifestyle with new wife ?

I found it interesting that in his interviews ' we were happy with our little nerdy life' ...... it sounds like a part of him was into it, and the other part had outgrown it - not saying that equates to murder motive though, a simple divorce would and does suffice for 90 pc of people in these situations, with most of the other 10pc choosing to stay unhappy in a marriage they have outgrown

Last things that I have read were a while ago (almost eight years! And Liz’s parents said in the interview that at a certain point, Ritchie was taken off the case, maybe police was overwhelmed or stretched thin post-COVID…otherwise, why?).

At that time, both Sergio and his new wife were in cosplay. Sergio is good at sewing, so it might be less of a nerdy business and more of a creative outlet. JMO. I don’t know what’s going on now, of course.

 

[Charlot123]

from the latest 2 part interview of the lead detective on YT (with part 2 put on YT just a month ago) , looks like LE suspect but have no proof on Oscar the FIL, who was having affairs, money troubles and hence a lot of drama going on. Is it easy for people in TX to get gang assistance from Mexico as speculated earlier on this thread it does sound like a hired hit from a Mexican Cartel for money, would be much harder for LE to trace down. It looks like burner phones were probably used all around.

I always remember that the info about the FIL came from Sergio, and I am not sure that Sergio is the perfect witness, given that the first time he sent the police on a wild goose chase about some cosplayer. So I am semi-skeptical about Sergio’s prime suspects, sorry.

This being said, it is very easy to provide parents with the information without providing it, you know? The communication with parents and grandparents is at the level of the “gazes”. And at least one of the parents will stand for you forever.

Only, looking at the philanderer father who may be lacking in money, who has mistresses, whose checks bounce, a person lacking in morality, it seems, is the police making a mistake by not scrutinizing the mother, too?

The mother is the dad’s victim in such a situation, but dad is very busy. Moms are usually closer with boys, more supportive of their “babies”, and theoretically, both sides may have relatives with shady connections.

Sergio could make an interesting witness. Either he doesn’t know anything, gets anxious and starts blabbering, or…if he knows or suspects someone, I am tempted to think, “who is he trying to lead the investigation away from”?

 

[Charlot123]

Mexican cartels in the US deal drugs and participate in human trafficking from what I gather in an internet search. Would someone in a cartel be willing to murder for money? I don't see why not. JMO

Cartels exist in every US state and FIL was in flooring business, and it is Texas.

On the other hand, with all “cosplayer attire” worn by the killer, for lack of a better term, what with with all the grainy video, “a Mexican killer” would not be my first thought. Plus, we don’t even know if it is a man or a woman on the video. In general, there are tons of shady people around us, and I assume that no one needs to look for the cartels. Plus, they likely, charge. If it had to do with the insurance, it had to be a “delayed payment”.

Unless… when did FIL’s checks started to bounce? Was it a chronic deal, or did it start shortly before the murder?

 

[Charlot123]

was the life insurance of half a mill pounds through work ? if taken personally, Liz was paying a very high premium , thats a lot for someone who isnt leaving behind 2-3 kids to ensure stay taken care of

It was offered at Rosen when she started working there.

 

[Charlot123]

I have another thought/question.

If I am not mistaken, there was a “gym equipment” item offered at Liz’s garage sale that day.

Now, it probably was fully workable. And Liz’s family was not rich. Especially when the checks started bouncing. So why sell a rather expensive thing? If Liz was frugal enough, per her parents?

I understand, even frugal people spend. Morning trips to Starbucks, for example. But, did Liz and Sergio get a gym membership? Was it also offered at Rosen? Did they start attending a gym?

That sale raises questions.

Thoughts?

 

[LinasK]

Yes, and when we remember there was a fairly sizable life insurance policy in place to pay Sergio if Liz died, I think it can be narrowed down even further, and that would leave only one. But I wouldn't say this is for sure still!

But the life insurance was, I think, $375,000? Not sure if I just pulled that number out of my... er... hat, or if that was actually what it was. And to me, the fact that Sergio never claimed the payout does not mean that the life insurance money wasn't the motive, or A motive, or part of the motive! That is, not if Sergio was NOT involved, and I believe (I think) that he was not. I think he may have known after the fact who did it though. And maybe he was so mad about it (who wouldn't be!) that not claiming the insurance money might have been his way of showing his anger or sort of getting back at the person who did it. Or to express his righteousness, for lack of a better word.

Think about if someone killed Liz, because they thought that it would benefit Sergio financially, and possibly themselves as well thru a sort of trickle-down effect, but they didn't tell Sergio their plan, since that would allow Sergio's hands to stay clean, so to speak. Their plan would make Sergio richer without him having to do something he would himself never do. He could reap the benefits without having to be the bad guy. He could claim the money with a clean conscience, because he had nothing to do with her death. He wasn't the one who killed her, he wasn't part of the plan, he didn't conspire with the killer, he didn't drive the getaway car or participate in any way, he had no advance or post knowledge of the plan. He didn't even see it happen. He wasn't even there!

So whoever this someone is thinks it's all set up so that Sergio will stay squeaky clean, won't be suspected, because he really was left totally in the dark... and he can collect the insurance money with a clean conscience. And maybe Sergio will throw a little money his way every now and then, and now everyone's happy.

But Sergio might have figured it out after the murder, or at least had his suspicions. And he's appalled and outraged that anyone would do this to his Liz, and even worse, do this because they thought it would help Sergio! But for some very tough reasons, he can't do anything about it, because he can't bring Liz back, for the main thing, but also because he can't bring himself to turn the killer in to LE, for those tough reasons I mentioned. He can't really even let the killer know how outraged he is, because then it would look like he (Sergio) knew about the plan, even if only after the fact, plus there's still the fact that the person was really doing it to help him (Sergio). So he's confused. Yes, it was an entirely wrong, misguided way to try to help him out, but it's usually hard to hold it against someone who was trying to do you a favor, even if it ends up hurting you instead... but no! Not in this case! They went too far, even if it was to benefit Sergio, it doesn't matter, they crossed over the line.

But he can't bring himself to turn them in, so all he can do is cut them out of his life, cut off all contact... at least for awhile. Oh, but there's one other thing he can do to SHOW them how wrong they were to do this... he can totally thumb his nose at the insurance money, act like it doesn't exist, never collect it, never even ask about it. That'll probably hurt the one responsible more than anything else he could do! I can imagine how that must just tear them up to know it was all for nothing.

If that is the way it happened. And Sergio did cut off contact for awhile at least. I'm not even sure he ever went back. But I figured he did... time heals all wounds and all that... but if it did happen this way, that is one cold, callous, inhuman plan to come up with and then actually carry out. That would take a seriously sociopathic individual. But that fits too, from the little we have heard about them.

One would hope that if Sergio knew it was his father, that he would have loved Liz enough to want justice for her, even IF that meant turning in his father.

 

[LinasK]

In general, the existence of a spousal life insurance is not the reason to kill a wife at all, if the relationship is strong and people plan to raise a family.

How was the Barrazza’s life before Liz was killed? We don’t have any evidence that it was bad. They were hard-working, had a mutual hobby, plans to travel. Character-wise, they seem to have been complementary. Unless we are not privy to all information.

This being said, no one can rule out the existence of a not too-normal person, madly and unreasonably in love with Sergio, who thought that they were “clearing the space” for themselves, not realizing that her feeling was unrequited. (And then Sergio remarries, has a child, and the person realizes that they, essentially, made a fool out of themselves and are a criminal now.) This is one version.

Version two is that the murder is unrelated to Sergio at all and stems from earlier time. That’s where it becomes hard, because the killer, likely, looks and behaves normally but is seriously unbalanced.

Well, maybe it's just me, and I DO love my husband, but I said absolutely "NO" to life insurance for that very reason.

 

[sunspun]

One would hope that if Sergio knew it was his father, that he would have loved Liz enough to want justice for her, even IF that meant turning in his father.

Yes, one would hope...

But even if he knew his father was involved, I could see how turning him in might be a bridge too far. Even if. But apparently, he didn't talk to him for some time (years?), and that might have been just as hurtful to his father.

But that's a moot point really, because remember, he actually did "turn him in"! Well, he didn't go that far, but he couldn't have, since he never knew for sure of his involvement... but he suspected it. Or at least, wondered if his dad had anything to do with it. And he voiced his suspicions aloud to police and I believe even in at least one interview that he gave on TV.

So (almost) as you said, he did love Liz enough to want justice for her, even if that meant pointing LE in his father's direction.

 

[Charlot123]

One would hope that if Sergio knew it was his father, that he would have loved Liz enough to want justice for her, even IF that meant turning in his father.

What we know is that Sergio said something in an interview. We don’t know if he went to the police and gave a thorough story about his father’s involvement.

MOO - he probably made a statement to the police because an investigation was likely performed, but no one was arrested. Take it as you want. FIL could be an impulsive, but not fact-based, version (“if dad could cheat on my mom, he could kill Liz”). Alternatively, it can be fact-based, but LE is missing a tad to cinch the arrest. Sadly, we don’t know if SB is a serious person at all.

In general, people make different witnesses. Today’s SB is 7 years older, a father, has a different life. Does it make him a better witness? Maybe not, because the facts are still coming from the memory of a less mature SB. In this case, he is sincere but still not the best witness.

SB may be intuitively aware of something, but he doesn’t want to fully acknowledge it. In this case, he may be throwing many theories into the mix in response to own fears.

 

[Charlot123]

Well, maybe it's just me, and I DO love my husband, but I said absolutely "NO" to life insurance for that very reason.

It was Liz’s own dad who advised her to take the offered insurance. If anything, it indicates that Liz’s parents trusted SB as Liz’s husband.

 

[kityy]

Charlotte, why don't you take over the case? You seem to be good at delving into things, and LE still doesn't seem to have any answers. I nominate you! Just sayin'...

can I just say, if anyone were to lead our little thread, you are SO right. charlotte you literally know every question to ask. is it because you work in forensics or what???

 

[Charlot123]

can I just say, if anyone were to lead our little thread, you are SO right. charlotte you literally know every question to ask. is it because you work in forensics or what???

1) no I am not

2) I think that it is a horribly unfair case. I listened to the interview of Detective Ritchie, he appears good. I was left with an impression that the case is not solved because no apparent connection between the murderer and Liz has been found.

If we all keep this thread alive, this is probably the maximum we can do.

It seems that the police can’t find the motive. Perhaps in this case, “drop the motive, look for who had the best means” would be the approach. Half of the motives won’t be motives for us, anyhow.

Also: remember, det. Richie looked at the neighbor’s camera and thought that they’d solve this case in 2 hours. And it is still unsolved in almost 7 years. Meaning, the person/people planning it knew what the police would look at (the license plate? So the car has only one. Did they take off the other one or did they come from a state where one is legal?). So…someone planning the murder knows well what the detectives will search for and cuts off all ways to find them.

Is the murderer close to LE? Or are they so much into criminal stories that they learned a lot? They have to be deeply into details, an autodidact.

Think of this, Kohberger who had criminal justice degree, still made some mistakes. They probably don’t teach you everything in criminal justice. But imagine Kohberger with his degree + some experience interning in the police. He’d pull the murders, no doubt.

So the person who killed Liz knew the investigative work well…+ had some personal grudge against Liz. MOO.

In short, I am no profiler but: I think that: 1) the killer is in a position to find out a lot about Liz and in a short time and 2) the person knows very well how the police investigation is done and cuts off all routes for them. If he has not been found yet, it means, he has made no mistakes. It is not a woman who gets angry and hysterically shoots a perceived rival. It is a planner.

 

[lonewanderer]

I have another thought/question.

If I am not mistaken, there was a “gym equipment” item offered at Liz’s garage sale that day.

Now, it probably was fully workable. And Liz’s family was not rich. Especially when the checks started bouncing. So why sell a rather expensive thing? If Liz was frugal enough, per her parents?

I understand, even frugal people spend. Morning trips to Starbucks, for example. But, did Liz and Sergio get a gym membership? Was it also offered at Rosen? Did they start attending a gym?

That sale raises questions.

Thoughts?

Part of me wonders how frugal they actually were.

I saw a video of Liz's mother showing off a Harry Potter suitcase and some other items Liz was super excited about.

Trips to Disney are NOT cheap.

Could the trip to Disney have been a catalyst? Perhaps Sergio was dreading going and spending a ton of money and beyond tired of hearing about Disney, Disney, Disney. There are many videos out there about "Disney adults" that are quite nerve wracking. Or perhaps someone was irate the Liz was getting to go (two possibilities I came up with; someone thought they should be the one to be going with Sergio or someone felt slighted by Liz at appearing to have a lot of money while they suffered broke)

 

[lonewanderer]

Let talk about the treadmill....

Some have pointed out how it seems to have trapped Liz in when the shooter walked up.

What if it wasn't for trapping, but was a landmark? Liz and Sergio used that Ring doorbell very extensively, even with the little we know about them. Liz made silly faces into it, Sergio used it to check the house and spoke to the police through the device.

So what if the treadmill was strategically placed where it was? This would give the shooter a good landmark of how far not to go if they did not want to be seen.

I just rewatched the angle and its actually really close to the left. I thought it was more in the middle of the ring footage.

Could it have possibly been a part of a plan?

 

[Charlot123]

Let talk about the treadmill....

Some have pointed out how it seems to have trapped Liz in when the shooter walked up.

What if it wasn't for trapping, but was a landmark? Liz and Sergio used that Ring doorbell very extensively, even with the little we know about them. Liz made silly faces into it, Sergio used it to check the house and spoke to the police through the device.

So what if the treadmill was strategically placed where it was? This would give the shooter a good landmark of how far not to go if they did not want to be seen.

I just rewatched the angle and its actually really close to the left. I thought it was more in the middle of the ring footage.

Could it have possibly been a part of a plan?

Great question. And a very good idea. In fact, surprisingly good. I always wondered how did the killer managed to not get on the nest camera.

Another thought, would it also be the marker showing where to stop the car so that the back plates don't get on the Barraza's Nest camera?

Another question is, why sell a treadmill? Of course, it could have been a cheaper version, but it seems that some planning went into Liz' shopping. Did they buy a new one, or did they for some reason stop using it? Or did they need to make a space for something else?

Sometimes I wonder if this "half-impromptu sale" was meant to clear space in the house, or in the garage, for some rearrangement.

Dozens of ideas were provided about the sale during these years, but my first thought would be, "to make some space, and better now, because later, when they come back, they'd be too busy to deal with the sale."

Of course, Liz's parents would know why. But we don't.

Questions: did they clean the garage?
Did they plan to buy a larger car?
Or, did they need to make more space in the house? For what, then?

 

[Charlot123]

Another question: do you think that the driver removed the front plate and then put it back, or covered it for the deal, or simply the car was rented in a state that didn't require the front plate?

Here are the 19 states that did not require front plate in 2019. Texas needed two.

In 2019, 19 states did not require front license plates: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

I'd think that some cars have a higher chance to be pulled over by Texan police than others, but one also has to consider that Houston is in the south of the state. If the killer drove from another state, it would be closer to drive from Louisiana, and a car from Louisiana won't be pulled over out of curiosity in Texas - of this i am sure. I also think that no matter how the person looked next to the house, wig or whatever, they were pretty average while driving around in Texas.

Another chance is, I don't know how far did LE search for that car, and if the search included Galveston. If the killer had to wait for a convenient time, because that house sale was not carved in stone, after all, Galveston IMHO is a great place to stay because it is touristy.

Of course, they could have simply covered the front plate with something. But I suspect there was no front plate.

Any Texan here? Would people be stopped for driving around without a front plate?

 

[FromGermany1]

Great question. And a very good idea. In fact, surprisingly good. I always wondered how did the killer managed to not get on the nest camera.

Another thought, would it also be the marker showing where to stop the car so that the back plates don't get on the Barraza's Nest camera?

Another question is, why sell a treadmill? Of course, it could have been a cheaper version, but it seems that some planning went into Liz' shopping. Did they buy a new one, or did they for some reason stop using it? Or did they need to make a space for something else?

Sometimes I wonder if this "half-impromptu sale" was meant to clear space in the house, or in the garage, for some rearrangement.

Dozens of ideas were provided about the sale during these years, but my first thought would be, "to make some space, and better now, because later, when they come back, they'd be too busy to deal with the sale."

Of course, Liz's parents would know why. But we don't.

Questions: did they clean the garage?
Did they plan to buy a larger car?
Or, did they need to make more space in the house? For what, then?

I for my part honestly thought of that date and reason of the sale it to be somewhat absurd (or unreasonable).
Why rummage about discarded household items just before the start into a happy weekend? Items, that hadn't been sold, would have had also to be carried back and put away again. A lot of effort was required.
Why was the little "pocket money" so urgently needed? If I hadn't had enough pocket money, I wouldn't have planned or booked the trip at all. But that's me of course.
Was it really about creating space quickly?
Did someone want to move into the house, because they (possibly not for the first time) wanted to abruptly separate from a partner? Did the person need space for their own household items for a certain time? Was it just an excuse to want to earn a little pocket money?

 

[no greed]

Another question: do you think that the driver removed the front plate and then put it back, or covered it for the deal, or simply the car was rented in a state that didn't require the front plate?

Here are the 19 states that did not require front plate in 2019. Texas needed two.

In 2019, 19 states did not require front license plates: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

I'd think that some cars have a higher chance to be pulled over by Texan police than others, but one also has to consider that Houston is in the south of the state. If the killer drove from another state, it would be closer to drive from Louisiana, and a car from Louisiana won't be pulled over out of curiosity in Texas - of this i am sure. I also think that no matter how the person looked next to the house, wig or whatever, they were pretty average while driving around in Texas.

Another chance is, I don't know how far did LE search for that car, and if the search included Galveston. If the killer had to wait for a convenient time, because that house sale was not carved in stone, after all, Galveston IMHO is a great place to stay because it is touristy.

Of course, they could have simply covered the front plate with something. But I suspect there was no front plate.

Any Texan here? Would people be stopped for driving around without a front plate?

I have lived in central Tx for 50+ years. IMO early on a weekday morning it would be extremely rare for a police officer to pull a vehicle over for a missing front license plate. On a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night from about 10PM to 3AM maybe not so rare. Why the difference? Those are hours police are likely to find drivers that are not sober. They are looking for any reason to pull a driver over. Headlights, tail lights, even license plate lights that are not properly working have been used as an excuse to pull me over. It has always occurred between those hours I stated above. I don’t like being pulled over so I always keep my plates on and registration tags current. I do not drive under the influence either.

 

[CrimeTheorist]

I just watched a true crime show where the killer asked a friend to get him a truck, so the friend asked someone he knew if he could borrow their truck to move something and then they used that truck to move the body. I wonder if the police in this case could ask the public to contact them if someone borrowed their dark coloured Nissan truck near the end of January of 2019? And not just in Texas but anywhere in the US.

My Opinion Only

 

[CrimeTheorist]

I would also hope the police looked into anyone driving a dark coloured truck that was pulled over for speeding or following too close to another vehicle in the hours after the crime. The killer might have been pulled over by police either in Texas or another state because they were trying to get home quickly.

My Opinion Only