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

[sl222]

The reason I mentioned it was I have a friend who mentioned a few weekends ago how she is an in-home nurse and one of her clients lets her borrow his truck (which he is too old to drive anymore) and he just leaves the keys in the car all the time. That made me think of this case- how do you get a car you don't care if anyone sees.

Wow. When you think about it, that means a lot of potential cars that even the owners would never know about the connection with this case if they were tracked down. And I'll bet they have looked at every such model within at least 300 miles. The car's owner --> someone they do know --> someone that person knows, unknown to the owner. Or something like that. They did manage to track the model and year of the car to within a couple of possible years IIRC.

 

[MajorHoople]

What if it was a photo of the killer with someone that Elizabeth knew? What if it was a child? Or a receipt or something similar for money owed? It could be anything, really, a lot of possibilities.

Maybe the shooter showed Elizabeth something to confirm that she was indeed Elizabeth Barraza. I've heard of hit men confirming that they had the right victim before they killed. Something along the line of, "Pardon me, I'm looking for John Doe, are you Mr. Doe? Yes. BANG.

 

[canteloupe]

Maybe the shooter showed Elizabeth something to confirm that she was indeed Elizabeth Barraza. I've heard of hit men confirming that they had the right victim before they killed. Something along the line of, "Pardon me, I'm looking for John Doe, are you Mr. Doe? Yes. BANG.

This was my initial thought. I know this has been mentioned previously, but it bears bringing up again the similarity to the murder of Alistair Wilson in Scotland (subject of the BBC's The Doorstop Murder podcast).

It also reminded me of a murder-for-hire incident that happened about a decade ago in Rio de Janeiro when I was living there. I'm trying to find some documentation, but if memory serves, a gunman asked a victim to read a note -- either feigning illiteracy or in a serving court papers way -- to confirm identity for someone listening in via cell or walkie talkie.

I also think the truck was likely not reported missing and is not a rental vehicle (though you can find this model easily available via her former employer, Hertz). The absence of the roof racks makes me think this is a 2018 or 2019 model. A scenario like this recent silver alert from north Houston would explain how an owner may not have realized a vehicle was missing in the first place.

I'll be back to this thread when I gather more thoughts, as I'm still digesting the very attentive and informative responses to my previous post...especially about surveillance footage.

 

[ZZ Topps]

Whatever the killer handed to Liz, the police have it, and the killer knew it would stay at the scene.

Do we know she was physically handed something or could she have just shown her something, like a picture or a picture on a phone. Also, did what he/she showed her make her jump or did she possibly also brandish the gun at that moment. That seems like the type of reaction you might get when showing and unsuspecting person a firearm.

 

[sl222]

Recent posts have made me wonder if the killer was wearing a facial disguise as well so that even the cameras on the road or in the neighborhood wouldn't show the features of the person who did this. But there was always a chance of having a wreck, flat tire, or car breakdown, even if a peson had a facial disguise. There was also a small chance of the truck being chased down by a someone who saw what happened.

 

[SharonNeedles]

Most have ruled out a random attack because LE stated that video showed the killer cruised the neighborhood and cased her house on the night before the garage sale and murder.

Honestly one could rule out any theory discussed here, nothing fits.

 

[SharonNeedles]

Wow. When you think about it, that means a lot of potential cars that even the owners would never know about the connection with this case if they were tracked down. And I'll bet they have looked at every such model within at least 300 miles. The car's owner --> someone they do know --> someone that person knows, unknown to the owner. Or something like that. They did manage to track the model and year of the car to within a couple of possible years IIRC.

Given the rather general description of a common vehicle and the size of the metro, that number is huge.

 

[moslym3]

I searched this thread for any information on the height of the suspect - and found none. Has LE released any information on the height of either elizabeth or the shooter?

 

[sl222]

I searched this thread for any information on the height of the suspect - and found none. Has LE released any information on the height of either elizabeth or the shooter?

I've not heard any info released on the heights but observation-wise, it looks like the shooter is about 3 inches taller than Liz. MOO.

P.S. I emailed back the HSCO office and got a very nice reply from a lieutenant, telling me they did get my info a few months ago and gave it to the lead investigator, and that so far the info hadn't resulted in anything, but that if it ever does or if they need more info, they will let me know. (I'm sure they wouldn't need me to find anything of course.)

As mentioned earlier I presume what I sent them was information they already had known about but was worth sending just in case. I appreciate them sending me a response.

In my strong opinion, there are people connected to potential suspects outside the family who think it's more than possible that a person they know either committed or helped plan and set up this murder. I'm referring to people who were not in the picture in the circle of friends etc. at the time this happened.

Also it's worth mentioning that the police have never publicly cleared anyone. I don't think this case is hopeless by any means, there are so many cases that have taken years and eventually got solved. The problem is getting enough evidence to arrest the person or people involved. Prayers for Liz's family at this holiday season and the upcoming 2-year mark one month after Christmas.

 

[Gunslinging Granny]

$20,000 reward is still being offered for information leading to Liz's killer's arrest. Anyone with information can contact Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. Crime Stoppers is NOT the Houston police.

You can choose to be anonymous reporting information to Houston Crime Stoppers. Crime Stoppers gives you a code when you anonymously use their website or phone number to leave information about a crime. When the killer is arrested, you use this code to anonymously receive the $20,o00.

 

[Lhughessk]

Is it possible the warrant doesn't mention what case or person it's connected to? Or could the warrant be filed in a different county? I wonder how it works when the warrant is for electronic records with a major phone or internet company.

Not possible to not mention the case or victim. No judge would sign a warrant that doesn’t lay out the facts.

even if the warrant is filed in a different county, the Texas Public Information Act states that they have to turn over any warrants that they have access to. Basically, they can’t circumvent open records law by having some other agency do a warrant.

 

[borndem]

Hoping for news soon. Her family must be suffering, screaming, and a bit scared all at the same time. They can't possibly know really any more than we do. They may suspect some things (or someone ?) based on any interviews, etc., the family members had with LE, but I feel sure they haven't been told any details at all. It makes sense, and that's the way it should be, but it's sad. I wonder if or how often LE and the family members are in touch with each other these days... <sigh>

 

[borndem]

Hoping for news soon. Her family must be suffering, screaming, and a bit scared all at the same time. They can't possibly know really any more than we do. They may suspect some things (or someone ?) based on any interviews, etc., the family members had with LE, but I feel sure they haven't been told any details at all. It makes sense, and that's the way it should be, but it's sad. I wonder if or how often LE and the family members are in touch with each other these days... <sigh>

 

[sl222]

Not possible to not mention the case or victim. No judge would sign a warrant that doesn’t lay out the facts.

even if the warrant is filed in a different county, the Texas Public Information Act states that they have to turn over any warrants that they have access to. Basically, they can’t circumvent open records law by having some other agency do a warrant.

Thanks. Do you think a federal or out-of-state warrant, such as a phone corporation, internet, etc., could explain why so far there's no way to find the warrant?

Later this week it will be the 2-year anniversary. Thoughts and prayers with her family.
Results of warrant could expose who killed woman setting up garage sale

 

[spivey]

Whatever the killer handed to Liz, the police have it, and the killer knew it would stay at the scene.

Yep, was just thinking the same thing.

IF the perp handed the victim something, it could be a significant clue depending on what it was. Maybe police are holding off on releasing the info so they can use it to authenticate any future confessions.
IMO, if the police are withholding info regarding what was handed to the victim, it would have to be something they felt was more valuable as confession validation then as evidence that might lead to the perp.

 

[Turkeytrot]

New video of suspect vehicle in deadly Tomball ambush | khou.com

 

[SAMS]

Okay, so this video reminds me that the perp drove around several times before attacking Liz. This takes road rage and a revenge killing because of the yard sale, (a few of the ideas some of us have come up with as just possibilities of why) off the table. Unless they drove by and Liz was not out in the driveway setting up yet and then on that third drive-by they decided to stop because she was. Otherwise, they were coming there for her, no doubt about it. It was a hit, up close and personal, perhaps they got the nerve up on the third time round. IMO

 

[Turkeytrot]

Tomball victim's dad and investigator speak 2 years after murder

Another article from today

 

[sl222]

Tomball victim's dad and investigator speak 2 years after murder

Another article from today

These interviews are excellent. Thank you so much for posting both of these video links. This gives us an answer to the warrant question also. To me, both interviews are notable in terms of what they say, how they say, it, and their expressions. The costume timing is concerning and does make me wonder about a connection there, which is always a possibility. If Liz had not been stationed where she was in the driveway - the placement of her table for conducting the sale - the shooter might have been recorded fully by the camera. The shooter driving by once again after the shooting leads me to think the shooter's state of mind at that time led the shooter to take a strangely risky / manic action, risking getting stopped, blocked, or seen by a neighbor. Having shot Liz that many times including a head wound yet still driving back on a street that was not that easy to get out without either turning around at the cul de sac or taking a roundabout path on the street perpendicular to the house, and being recorded by more possible house cameras. It's very encouraging to see how focused the HCSO is on bringing these killers to justice and Liz's father's faith that this case will be solved.

We will be thinking of Liz and her family so much especially on the 25th and 26th.

 

[Dallas Volunteer]

New video of suspect vehicle in deadly Tomball ambush | khou.com

Is it me or are those weird audio sounds coming from the recording before the shooting? It is downright spooky sounding. I can't tell 100% on my phone but sounds like a guy's voice after Liz says "morning." Going to have to play it on my desktop.