Elizabeth Barraza was a 29-year-old woman from Tomball, Texas who was shot and killed in her own driveway on January 25, 2019. She was setting up a garage sale early in the morning when someone walked up and shot her four times. The whole thing was caught on camera, but even after more than seven years, police have not found her killer. This case has become one of the most talked-about unsolved murders in Texas. Her family continues to fight for justice, and a $50,000 reward waits for anyone who can help solve this mystery.
Biography Table
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Elizabeth Marie Nuelle Barraza |
| Nickname | Liz |
| Date of Birth | June 26, 1989 |
| Place of Birth | Elk Grove Village, Illinois, USA |
| Date of Death | January 26, 2019 (aged 29) |
| Place of Death | Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, Texas |
| Location of Attack | Cedar Walk Drive, Tomball, Texas |
| Husband | Sergio Barraza |
| Parents | Robert “Bob” Nuelle Jr. and Rosemary Nuelle |
| Occupation | Employee at the Rosen Group |
| Hobbies | Star Wars cosplay, Harry Potter, charity work |
| Organization | 501st Legion (Star Wars fan group) |
| Case Status | Unsolved |
| Reward for Information | $50,000 |
Who Was Elizabeth Barraza?
Elizabeth “Liz” Barraza was born on June 26, 1989, in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. She grew up to be a kind and caring person who loved helping others. Her family and friends say she had a big heart and always put other people first. She was a fan of the Chicago Cubs baseball team and loved reading, especially the Harry Potter book series.
Liz married her husband Sergio Barraza, and they lived a happy life together in Tomball, Texas. They shared a love for Star Wars and Harry Potter. The couple was very active in their community and spent many hours doing volunteer work. They visited sick children in hospitals while dressed in Star Wars costumes to make them smile.
Her Love for Star Wars and Charity Work
Liz and Sergio were proud members of the 501st Legion, a worldwide group of Star Wars fans who use their costumes to help raise money for charity. Liz had two official costumes: a Biker Scout and a Jawa. She was not just a regular member; she was the Event Coordinator for the South Texas Squadron. This meant she planned charity events and organized volunteers.
The couple often visited local hospitals dressed as Star Wars characters. They worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Peter Mayhew Foundation. Peter Mayhew was the actor who played Chewbacca in the Star Wars films. After Liz’s death, Peter Mayhew set up a fund in her name at Make-A-Wish, and the 501st Legion named her an “Eternal Legionnaire” to honor her memory.
The Morning of the Murder
On Friday, January 25, 2019, Liz woke up early to set up a garage sale in her driveway. She and Sergio wanted to earn some extra money for their fifth wedding anniversary trip. They planned to fly to Orlando, Florida, in just two days to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. Liz had already packed her suitcase and even made special Harry Potter shoes for the trip.
Sergio helped Liz set up some items before he left for work around 6:45 a.m. Just minutes later, a dark-colored Nissan Frontier truck drove past the house, turned around, and stopped. A person got out of the truck, walked up to Liz, and shot her three times. After Liz fell to the ground, the shooter fired one more shot and then ran back to the truck and drove away.
The Investigation
Several cameras in the neighborhood, including the Barrazas’ own doorbell camera, recorded the shooting. Police thought they would solve the case quickly because they had clear video. However, the shooter was wearing a disguise. The person wore a wig, a long jacket or robe, and tall boots. It is still unclear if the shooter was a man or a woman.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office has worked on this case for years. They have partnered with the FBI and Texas Rangers. Police have checked phone records, cameras all over the area, and license plates. They believe the shooting was planned and that Liz was the target. Nothing was stolen from her driveway or home. The shooter used a revolver, which does not leave shell casings behind.
Was It a Murder-for-Hire?
Liz’s father, Bob Nuelle Jr., believes his daughter was killed by someone who was paid to do it. He has said publicly that he thinks it was a murder-for-hire. This would explain why the shooter was in disguise and why they did not steal anything. The killer seemed to know exactly when Sergio would leave for work and when Liz would be alone.
Police have investigated everyone close to Liz, including her husband Sergio. According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Sergio has been cooperative throughout the investigation. He passed polygraph tests and has not been named as a suspect. Sergio has since remarried but says he still hopes for justice for Liz. A life insurance policy from the marriage has never been paid out.
A Family’s Fight for Justice
Bob and Rosemary Nuelle, Liz’s parents, have never stopped fighting for answers. They created a website called WhoKilledLizBarraza.com to keep the public informed about the case. The website has a counter showing how many days have passed since Liz was killed. As of early 2026, it has been over 2,500 days.
In January 2025, a memorial bench was placed in Burroughs Park in Tomball to honor Liz. This was the first bench in the “We Remember Memorial Project” in Harris County. Liz’s father, who is now 67 years old and facing health problems, says his dying wish is to know who killed his daughter. The family asks anyone with information to come forward.
Current Status of the Case
The case remains open and active. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office says they continue to pursue new leads. Technology keeps getting better, and police hope it will help them find new evidence. Sergeant Michael Ritchie, who has worked on the case since day one, calls it the most frustrating case of his career.
Crime Stoppers of Houston offers a reward of up to $50,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Tips can be given anonymously by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477) or through the Crime Stoppers website. Police believe someone knows who killed Liz, and they hope that person will finally speak up.
Conclusion
Elizabeth Barraza was a kind young woman who spent her life helping others. She was shot in her driveway while setting up a simple garage sale, and more than seven years later, her killer is still free. Her family continues to seek justice, and the community has not forgotten her. If you know anything about this case, please contact Crime Stoppers. Someone out there has the answer, and Liz deserves justice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who was Elizabeth Barraza?
Elizabeth “Liz” Barraza was a 29-year-old woman from Tomball, Texas. She was a member of the Star Wars fan group called the 501st Legion. She loved helping sick children by visiting them in hospitals while wearing costumes. She was shot and killed on January 25, 2019.
2. What happened to Elizabeth Barraza?
Liz was shot four times in her driveway while setting up for a garage sale early in the morning. A person in disguise walked up to her, shot her, and drove away in a dark Nissan Frontier truck. The whole event was caught on camera, but the killer has never been found.
3. Has anyone been arrested for Elizabeth Barraza’s murder?
No. Even though the shooting was captured on video, no one has been arrested. The case remains unsolved. Police continue to investigate and are asking the public for help.
4. Is there a reward for information about the case?
Yes. Crime Stoppers of Houston is offering up to $50,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Tips can be given anonymously by calling 713-222-TIPS or visiting the Crime Stoppers website.
5. Where can I find more information about this case?
You can visit the family’s website at WhoKilledLizBarraza.com. You can also contact Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS (8477) or the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at 713-274-9100.
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