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

[stmarysmead]

Just bringing these informative posts forward from earlier in the thread. Someone has also postulated that the killer says “Sorry, the Force sent me.” The characters in Elizabeth’s group are the enemies of the Force...or as they explain it in one of their videos “bad guys doing good.”

It does appear that the quality of the costume is vital to acceptance and that some people may not make the cut for that reason. In their organizational videos, the costumes are described as required to be “movie quality.” This could be a financial burden and if rejected, for someone unstable, a searing put-down. Maybe wearing a costume to do the killing is important to the killer both to punish and to show her worthiness of membership. The point is being made by wearing it...that the killer will take out her “enemies” and prove her superiority to her detractors anyway.

It’s possible that Elizabeth is not targeted in particular...but just as a member/symbol of the group. Maybe the killer heard of the sale and thought she’d found one of her rejectors who would be an easy target early in the morning. She scoped out the neighborhood the night before because she did not know Elizabeth personally. Maybe any member of the South Texas Squad would have sufficed.

I can’t hear the muffled conversation....that’s why I am using the feminine pronouns. The way the killer walks up to Elizabeth...looks like a woman to me. She’s sort of strutting...chest forward. Maybe if and when we get clearer audio, I will stand corrected.

 

[stmarysmead]

I'm going to speak from just my experience. I've been involved with cosplay for a different fandom (one with British wizards) but I have had a few close friends who have/do participate in the Star Wars fandom. This usually includes stuff like waiting for days at a time on premier lines in tents wearing costumes and participating at meetups. Cosplay in itself isn't a competitive game. Vampire the Masquerade was/is more of a competitive game along the lines of Dungeons and Dragons. VtM can involve intense roleplay and LARPing (I've headed out to the forest for that) where you try to strategically eliminate other players and DnD is more strategy around a table but is mostly cooperative gameplay.

The 501st Legion (the group that Elizabeth belonged to) is known to take part in a lot of charity functions. You can even request them to appear at events. At Comic conventions, they will show up in custom handmade costumes and it's quite a sight to behold. They'll schedule meetups and arrive in procession/formation and you can pose with them and photograph them. They don't break character during these appearances and it's quite an experience. Side note: The 501st is only "bad guys". The 501st Legion is Vader's army. I suggest looking them up on youtube to see how they put on a show!

As for what can bee seen as the competitive part: The 501st Legion is seen by some as an extremely elite group with strict rules (because it kind of is). Wearing a store-bought stormtrooper costume is definitely a no-no and you need to be able to be willing to coordinate with others and participate in events. The group requires membership and you need to be approved. If someone knows - please correct me if I am wrong - I haven't seen mention of Elizabeth being one of the higher-ups in the 501st. I don't know if she had a rank. If she did and she was one of the people to decided who can and can't join the group - I can see that being upsetting. I have always figured that avenue would have been explored since she most likely wouldn't have been the only one who participated in those decisions and wouldn't have been the only one aware. Another scenario I could see leading up to this tragic event would be someone getting kicked out of the group for infractions. I assume this would also have been explored since the group keeps records and would know active/inactive memberships. Of course, there is always the chance of being approached by someone unknown to anyone in the 501st - a complete outlier - who didn't contact the group through the group's website and didn't follow application protocol. This scenario has the possibility of no one else knowing this person. I.E: Elizabeth is approached at an event by a person who asks "hey can I join your group? Elizabeth asks them if they had a costume and/or lets them know they needed to apply to the local chapter online and that answer is unacceptable to the person.

Fandoms are known to be... intense. There is no shortage of drama. I have too many stories but I have also made life-long friendships through the fandom I was in (4/5 of my brides-people including my flower-bearer were through the fandom). If you want some reading and examples check out FandomWank.

I'm sorry this was completely rambly but hopefully, I can provide at least a little bit of insight to the 501st Legion and fandoms in general.

Honestly - I have no idea. Do fandoms have a greater chance of attracting the fringes of society than other "hobbies" do? I'd say yes. Most definitely. These types of costuming fandoms provide a way for people to escape their lives and a place to belong. You know the saying "What happens in Vegas..."? another joke is "What happens at Comicon...". For some people, wearing a mask makes you anonymous and it gives you confidence that you wouldn't have any other way in any other part of your life (that said: interesting that it looks like EB's killer might have been wearing a costume). Some people depend on fandoms for their friends which in some cases is also their chosen family. To some, it's more than a "hobby". Their *entire identity* can be based in a fandom. Take that away and it can ruin a person's life. There are so many articles written about the psychology of fandoms and the psychology of the people that make up fandoms.

Example time! I once got death threats because a photo circulated of me with an actor related to the fandom where it looked like we were holding hands. People figured out who I was and I got messages that spanned from "what did he smell like" to "I'm going to kill you, you dumb ugly b*tch!". Another person I knew wrote a massively popular fan fiction and was 1. worshipped as a goddess for it and 2. had excrement sent to her house because people hated her for it.

Would those things have happened if I or the other person wasn't involved in the fandom? Probably not but those things do happen outside and completely unrelated to fandoms.

If Elizabeth had drama with someone in the fandom, most likely others knew. In my experience, it was rare that those things went unknown. Though it's possible that someone outside of the fandom could have fixated on her without her ever knowing but also because of the fandom.

Ok. I never want to type the word "fandom" again.

 

[Linskid]

I've been trying to get caught up on this case, so I started reading from the beginning, first thread. Does anyone know why Elizabeth was already packed for vacation? (and with a link please). I did a garage sale once, and never again. It consumes your time and energy. I would think garage sale and packing would not coincide. So next question, does anyone know when they were leaving for vacation? I have read she took the day off. But was the next week the vacation? I'm reading the second thread, and maybe I missed these things. If so, I apologize. I just found this odd, her being packed.

https://nypost.com/2019/02/07/woman...g-up-garage-sale-to-pay-for-anniversary-trip/

From this article:
“Barraza’s dad, Bob Nuelle, said his daughter was trying to make a little more spending money ahead of the anniversary trip, which was scheduled for two days after her death, according to the report.”

 

[BaffleMe]

https://nypost.com/2019/02/07/woman...g-up-garage-sale-to-pay-for-anniversary-trip/

From this article:
“Barraza’s dad, Bob Nuelle, said his daughter was trying to make a little more spending money ahead of the anniversary trip, which was scheduled for two days after her death, according to the report.”

Thank you!

 

[Cryptic]

Or it could be a neighbor not wanting a garage sale.

This is possible.

At the same time, I think statistically most crimes stemming from "rage at the neighbors" feature build ups.

Build ups with this possible motivation could include frequent calls to the police about garage sales and ordinance codes, encouraging other neighbors to complain about garage sales, taking down signs, "advising" those holding garage sales about codes etc.

In this case, there does not appear to have been any build up behavior by anyone. Though that does not eliminate the motive (perpetrator might have been seething in silence), it could also reduce the odds,

Then factor in that the victim was not say, running a commercial re-sale shop by holding continuous mega large garage sales every weekend (Friday to Sunday) with associated traffic. Rather, the victim's sale was small and what, yearly? Thus, less chance of enraging a noxious neighbor.

 

[TroyinTX]

Or it could be a neighbor not wanting a garage sale.

I'm assuming this wouldn't be the first garage sale the neighborhood ever had. And executing someone in their driveway seems like a very extreme reaction to not wanting a garage sale. That and the fact that apparently nobody in the neighborhood recognized the vehicle and it was seen casing her house the night before makes this seem unlikely.

 

[Cryptic]

It’s possible that Elizabeth is not targeted in particular...but just as a member/symbol of the group. Maybe the killer heard of the sale and thought she’d found one of her rejectors who would be an easy target early in the morning. She scoped out the neighborhood the night before because she did not know Elizabeth personally. Maybe any member of the South Texas Squad would have sufficed.

I dont think this possibility has been explored at all.

At first glance, it could be seen as extreme, but there have been plenty of murders over biker club membership, and a few murders over "rage at fans of the rival team" type issues. As a result, the murder being the result of a targeted group, but not a targeted individual makes sense.

The possibility also greatly expands the number of possible suspects as actions by the group include those truly taken by the collective whole, but also actions taken by individual prominent members that could be seen done on behalf of the group.

For example, did the group expel somebody? Or, did a group leader give a quiet rejection of a proposed joint activity between groups that led to it being permanently shelved?

 

[BaffleMe]

Very few people knew that. Police are saying they hope the down economy will convince someone to consider talking to LE for the $20,000 reward. Perhaps an accomplice? Whomever came up with the idea for a disguise must have known neighbors surveillance cameras would record the murder. Someone comfortable with using costumes.

JMO

Police said "trench coat," not costume, right?

 

[Betty P]

Police said "trench coat," not costume, right?

Yes, they did say trench or rain coat. I'll have to go back to listen to what else they said about what the killer was wearing. Pretty sure they referred to boots, too.

Can't recall if they said the person was wearing a wig. JMO, after listening to the most recent door bell video audio, its a male. The voice is that of a young male. JMO.

 

[stmarysmead]

Wasn’t it People magazine that first said “trench coat?’ I thought that was covered earlier in the thread.

I wish I could hear the audio as clearly as some of you can.

 

[stmarysmead]

More local coverage....it's about time!

Interesting from the People magazine article; a trench coat is mentioned rather than costume or robe.

A small-statured person with long hair or a wig, wearing a long trench-coat and boots, got out of the pick-up truck and approached Barraza in her driveway.

Also, I believe there was an early discussion on the thread of a decal on the truck. It is verified in the article below as being a PRO-4X sticker
________________________________________________________
Woman who was gunned down at her own garage sale in Tomball said 'good morning' to shooter
“She probably assumed they were a garage sale customer," Nuelle said. “She sounds like herself. Just like a very happy, cheery, 'Good morning.'"

The conversation was muffled, but it was recorded on a home surveillance camera for a few seconds before Barraza was shot.

Also new, investigators were able to identify a decal on the suspect’s truck. It’s a 2013 (or newer) black, four-door Nissan Frontier with a PRO-4X sticker.

There’s also a new investigator on the case because the previous one was promoted. The family says they’re thankful to have the resources of both men.
______
ETA: I wonder which home surveillance camera recorded this conversation....her's or the neighbors.....

Jmo “trench coat” may not have come from LE but rather People being dramatic...
How do they know she said “good morning”? Can they see or hear it on the video? And maybe the truck was simply coming back around to get out of neighborhood? Some of those neighborhoods have cul de sac streets, etc, where they loop back around. My niece lives nearby in Tomball. I hope LE has more than that to assume murder for hire...jmo.

Later interview with ABC:
What new doorbell video captured moments before Tomball woman's murder in driveway



Detective Wallace Wyatt with the Harris County Sheriff's Office described the horrific shooting to ABC13.

"Liz reacts, scared. There is some muffled something going on there. We're not sure what was said by the suspect, and then, shoots her three times. She falls to the ground. This horrible, calculated, premeditated and pitiless murderer steps over her and shoots her again in the head," Wyatt said.
Video shows the shooter wearing what appears to be a disguise -- boots and possibly a wig.

 

[Betty P]

Later interview with ABC:
What new doorbell video captured moments before Tomball woman's murder in driveway



Detective Wallace Wyatt with the Harris County Sheriff's Office described the horrific shooting to ABC13.

"Liz reacts, scared. There is some muffled something going on there. We're not sure what was said by the suspect, and then, shoots her three times. She falls to the ground. This horrible, calculated, premeditated and pitiless murderer steps over her and shoots her again in the head," Wyatt said.
Video shows the shooter wearing what appears to be a disguise -- boots and possibly a wig.

Yes, if you listen to his full PC that day, he also mentions the killer was wearing either a trench coat or rain coat. Sorry, I"m too busy right now to go back and retrieve it, but I made a note of it thinking it would end the confusion people had over it being a night gown or bath robe.

 

[Cryptic]

Regarding a possible motive centered on a cosplay dispute.....

There are 552 members of the parent club (501st Legion) in Texas alone as part of the Star Garrison. Even accounting for the fact that some members maybe more active than others, the number of members ranges in the hundreds. Then factor in that all states bordering Texas have their own chapters.

Home
The 501st Legion
West Texas Galactic Alliance brings Star Wars cosplay to sick kids

Admitting to a love of numbers.....

- Lets say that of the 552 active Texas members of the 501st Legion , 400 are truly active and 152 have drifted into only being relatively active.

- A forum member familiar with the sub culture related that a "noticeable minority" of participants dive deep into cos play. Lets place that visible minority at an estimated 15%.

"In deep" means the participant derives a disproportionate amount of self esteem, social status, friends, and in some cases, chosen family from cos play.

- 15% of 400 yields an estimated 60 cos play "deep divers" in the 501st's Texas chapter alone. Even more complicated is that not all deep divers are going to be obvious and easy to ID as such.

Then factor in other groups such as The Galactic Alliance and other 501 Legion chapters in nearby states and numbers get, well, rather large.

 

[stmarysmead]

Great post, Cryptic.

From the article you posted:

Pete Cagle, captain of the Rebel Legion, said members of all the clubs get along and work together on various events, including Star Wars movie openings, charity events and hospital visits.

Internationally, the groups started with people wanting to make the white stormtrooper and Darth Vader armor. Eventually, an international group called the 501st Legion - Vader’s Fist was created by these cosplayers in 1997. Later, the Rebel Legion was formed for the “good guys;” the Dark Empire was formed for custom Sith cosplayers, as well as smugglers and non-Mandalorian bounty hunters; the Mandalorian Mercs formed for cosplayers who want to play Boba Fett and other Mando-clad warriors; and the R2 Builders, who build the robots of Star Wars.

The cosplayers spend thousands of dollars on their outfits, which must conform to the standards of the movies of Lucas Film Limited in order to represent the intellectual property of Disney. No one is allowed to “troop” with the clubs unless their costumes have been officially sanctioned.’


As you say, this community as a wide reach.

I noticed that SB is the current media chairman for his group. Did he have this role two years ago? Were he and/or EB in any videos, articles on social media?

I wonder what events EB participated in in the weeks before her murder. Did any of the other groups participate? I would hope that pictures of the car would be given to any of the other groups they interested with.

I agree that LE must have talked to their immediate group. I hope they have asked them about anyone they had to reject for any reason....even if it seemed to go smoothly. But If EB participated with any of the other related cosplay groups,I hope they are asked similar questions.

Whether it’s a trench coat or a robe...the entire “ensemble” seems to be a costume to me.

 

[stmarysmead]

EB appears to be the same height as her killer. This is a short man...if indeed it is a man. Does anyone know EB’s height?

Yet look at the length of the trench coat...it looks short even though it’s on a short person. I think that’s why it looks more like a robe to me...or a costume. Because I’d expect a coat to hit lower on the leg.

I wonder what time the killer drove by the night before? He/she was certainly up early to be in position to do the killing. And he/she had all night to change their mind...but didn’t. To me that means either there was money involved (hit) or personal rage.

 

[LadyL]

I find it funny that people are still entertaining the idea that the shooter might be female. No matter if you can make out the words or not, the voice on the recently released video is very clearly male.

I don't hear a voice at all.

 

[LadyL]

EB appears to be the same height as her killer. This is a short man...if indeed it is a man. Does anyone know EB’s height?

Yet look at the length of the trench coat...it looks short even though it’s on a short person. I think that’s why it looks more like a robe to me...or a costume. Because I’d expect a coat to hit lower on the leg.

I wonder what time the killer drove by the night before? He/she was certainly up early to be in position to do the killing. And he/she had all night to change their mind...but didn’t. To me that means either there was money involved (hit) or personal rage.

I think it's a woman wearing heeled boots.

 

[Ssschu]

I find it funny that people are still entertaining the idea that the shooter might be female. No matter if you can make out the words or not, the voice on the recently released video is very clearly male.

100% agree the voice is clearly male.

 

[stmarysmead]

I’m also wondering if LE said what time the vehicle was seen the night before? Could this person work a night shift? In other words, did he drive by the night before and then head to work...then return when the shift ended and wait for SB to leave?

The boots don’t look like ‘fashion statement’ boots to me, so the choice to wear them is intriguing. Why not wear shoes easier to run in?

And, I’m thinking again about the purpose of a trench coat or rain coat...to protect the clothes worn underneath...therefore constructed a few inches hanging below. That coat is too short for that purpose.

If this is a very short man, he’s in an even shorter trench cost. If it’s a woman, the height is not distinctive. Just another woman EB’s size...of which there are plenty. But if it’s a man, being this short really narrows the suspects. Maybe that’s why he wore a wig and a short coat...less chance of being identified if LE believes thus us a woman.


The killer is so confident...reckless even. I can’t stop looking at how he/she strutted up the street, chest forward, so ready for this fatal confrontation. IMO, this person is so consumed by hate that he has no worries about himself. Gunshots THAT loud yet he drives back to see if she’s dead?

 

[Curiousobserver]

That’s assuming the killer used their own vehicle. I’ve always assumed the vehicle was “borrowed” meaning I think it was stolen and returned before the owner noticed, the owner's circle of friends has no reason to suspect owner and probably has an alibi even if there was suspicion so the vehicle that was used in the crime was never actually tracked to the owner.

Even then- Her friends have scoured their connections for that truck I am sure. If a friend of a friend of a friend had one like that we would know by now.