MURDERED: Elizabeth Barraza
Elizabeth Barraza was 29 when she was gunned down in her driveway in Tomball, Texas, while setting up for a garage sale. The murder was so calculated and shocking, police were certain they’d catch her killer within hours. But years later, the case is still unsolved. And her family’s hoping that someone can help bring them the justice they’ve been desperately seeking.
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Liz Barraza.
Photo courtesy of Bob & Rosemary Nuelle.
Liz Barraza.
Photo courtesy of Bob & Rosemary Nuelle.
Liz Barraza.
Photo courtesy of Bob & Rosemary Nuelle.
Liz Barraza.
Photo courtesy of Bob & Rosemary Nuelle.
Liz and Sergio on their wedding day in 2014.
Photo courtesy of Bob & Rosemary Nuelle.
Liz and her dad, Bob Nuelle, on her wedding day in 2014.
Photo courtesy of Bob & Rosemary Nuelle.
Liz and her mom, Rosemary Nuelle, on her wedding day in 2014.
Photo courtesy of Bob & Rosemary Nuelle.
Liz, Sergio, and Diesel.
Photo courtesy of Bob & Rosemary Nuelle.
Liz, Sergio, and Diesel in front of their home.
Photo courtesy of Bob & Rosemary Nuelle.
Liz and her parents, Bob and Rosemary Nuelle, when she was younger. Enhanced by audiochuck staff.
Photo courtesy of Bob & Rosemary Nuelle.
The entrance to the Barrazas’ subdivision, Princeton Place, in Tomball, Texas.
Photo screenshot from Google Street View.
The Barraza home in Tomball, Texas.
Photo screenshotted from Google Street View.
A Nissan Frontier – thought to be the shooter’s – was spotted in the Barraza’s neighborhood around 2 a.m. on Jan. 25, 2019, hours before Liz was shot and killed.
Photo courtesy of Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
The shooter approaching Liz in her driveway at 6:52 a.m. on Jan. 25, 2019. Photo is a screenshot; Neighbor’s surveillance footage;
Shared by “On the Case with Paula Zahn.”
The shooter pulls out their gun within seconds of their approach. Photo is a screenshot; Neighbor’s surveillance footage;
Shared by “On the Case with Paula Zahn.”
An aerial of the Barrazas’ neighborhood, with their home marked in red.
Photo screenshotted from Google Earth.
When the shooter first entered the Barrazas’ neighborhood around 6:48 a.m. on Jan. 25, 2019, this was the route they took. Photo screenshotted from Google Earth; edited by audiochuck staff.
Photo screenshotted from Google Earth.
When the shooter first exited the Barrazas’ neighborhood after shooting Liz around 6:53 a.m. on Jan. 25, 2019, this was the route they took. Photo screenshotted from Google Earth; edited by audiochuck staff.
Photo screenshotted from Google Earth.
After driving out to the main entrance of their subdivision, the shooter made a U-turn and doubled back past the Barrazas’ house around 6:55 a.m. This is the route they likely took to leave the neighborhood. Photo screenshotted from Google Earth; edited by audiochuck staff.
Photo screenshotted from Google Earth.
The Nuelles retraced the shooter’s likely exit route, a greenbelt at the end of a cul-de-sac that leads to the main road.
Photo courtesy of Bob & Rosemary Nuelle.
Then-Deputy Michael Ritchie of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office speaks at a press conference on Feb. 6, 2019. Behind him to the right are Liz’s loved ones including Sergio and her parents, Bob and Rosemary Nuelle.
Photo found here
Timeline.
6:08am
Liz goes to Starbucks. When she returns, she begins setting up for the garage sale.
6:48am
Sergio leaves to go to work.
6:52am
Liz is approached by someone who then shoots her point-blank in front of her home. The shooter flees the scene.
7:19am
The garage door alarm is triggered, causing Sergio and Liz’s parents to get notified.
7:21am
Liz is transported to the hospital.
Liz is pronounced dead at the hospital. Her organs are donated.
Crime Stoppers of Houston host a press conference and announce a $20,000 reward for information.
The Barraza Home
Please contact the authorities if you have any information about this following case:
Houston Crime Stoppers
If you know anything about the murder of Elizabeth Barraza, please call Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. There’s a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect. The money can be collected anonymously.
Harris County Sheriff's Office
You can also contact the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at 713-274-9100.
We’d love to speak with you and see how we can support.
If you’re a law enforcement agency or family member of one of the people we mentioned in this episode, or if you’re looking for more coverage on a case, please reach out. You can email us at:
Episode Source Material
- Original reporting by Nina Schutzman
- Harris County Sheriff’s Office records
- Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office records
- Censored shooting video:
ABC 13 (1-25-2019, by Courtney Fischer) Accessed 11-15-2024
Surveillance video shows moments before woman shot outside her home in Tomball - Barraza doorbell camera video:
KHOU 11 (1-21-2021) Accessed 11-15-2024
Sheriff’s office releases new video in shooting death of Tomball woman - Arrin Stoner (8-12-2022) Accessed 11-15-2024
Liz Barraza Case: Detailed Analysis - On the Case with Paula Zahn (10-30-2022) Accessed 11-15-2024
A Fairy Tale Ruined; Season 25, Episode 7 -
KHOU 11 (1-26-2023) Accessed 11-15-2024
KHOU 11 exclusive: Elizabeth Barraza’s husband speaks to Grace White about wife’s 2019 death
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