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- calendar_today November 9, 2026
Texas Rangers Grapple With Decades-Old Unsolved Homicides
For over four decades, the Texas Rangers have faced persistent challenges in unraveling the mysteries behind seven unsolved homicide cases connected to Bexar County and neighboring regions. Despite advances in forensic science and investigative methods, these cold cases remain unresolved, leaving families still searching for answers.
The Lasting Impact of Cold Cases
Cold cases—homicide investigations that remain open due to lack of evidence or leads—have not only captivated true crime enthusiasts but also continue to impact relatives of the victims who long for closure. The Texas Rangers currently list seven such cases from Bexar County on their cold case registry.
Victims Whose Cases Remain Open
- Yolanda Herrera (1981): In April 1981, 23-year-old Yolanda Herrera was found dead in a field near the 500 block of East Aviation Drive in Universal City. She had recently divorced and was last seen leaving Johnny's Inn bar in the early hours of April 11. Evidence suggested Herrera was sexually assaulted before her murder.
- Carol Joyce Deleon (1981): On June 4, 1981, the body of 18-year-old Carol Joyce Deleon, then unidentified and classified as Jane Doe, was discovered along Interstate 35 in Comal County. It took 28 years before DNA testing led to her identification. Deleon had just graduated from Edison High School and attended a nightclub in San Antonio the night before. In April 2023, an arrest was made, but the charges were later dismissed in October 2024 due to insufficient evidence.
- Charles Bates (1983): The manager of "PoFolks" Restaurant, 51-year-old Charles Bates, was stabbed to death on May 22, 1983, in Balcones Heights. Investigators believed he may have known his killer, but no witnesses ever came forward.
- Richard Anthony "Tony" Garza (1984): Tony Garza, 21, went missing from southern Bexar County on September 14, 1984. His disappearance was not reported by his father until several days later. Garza’s remains were found in January 1986 in Wilson County. He had been working as a stable hand at the time, and his death was ruled a homicide.
- Lupita Cantu (1990): The identity of a female body found in rural Frio County in May 1990 remained unknown until DNA testing in 2011 confirmed it as 41-year-old Lupita Cantu. She had gone missing on April 26, 1990, after failing to pick up her children, and her car was found abandoned two miles from her home.
- Heidi Lynn Seeman (1990): Exceptionally young, 11-year-old Heidi Seeman disappeared while walking home on August 4, 1990, after leaving a friend’s house. Her body was discovered three weeks later outside Wimberley, and her death was ruled a homicide.
- Samantha Zublionis (1994): The body of 17-year-old Samantha Zublionis, a MacArthur High School student living independently, was found in northeastern Frio County on September 3, 1994. Prior to her murder, she had been staying with friends and was last seen several days before her death.
Ongoing Efforts and Law Enforcement Challenges
While DNA identification and advances in forensic technology have played pivotal roles in some of these cases, such as those of Carol Joyce Deleon and Lupita Cantu, crucial evidence in most instances remains elusive. Investigative progress is often slowed by lack of witnesses, limited technology at the time of the crimes, or insufficient information to press charges, as seen in the Deleon case where charges against a suspect were dropped in 2024.
The Search for Closure
The Texas Rangers, along with other law enforcement agencies, continue to encourage anyone with information to step forward to help bring justice for the victims and their families. These cases serve as reminders of the enduring complexity and emotional weight of unsolved murders in Texas.
Resources for Further Information
The Texas Department of Public Safety hosts a cold case database where updates and case details are periodically added. To learn more about these and other unsolved crimes, interested readers can consult the DPS cold case files or contact local law enforcement agencies.
Source: mysanantonio.com.
