• Elizabeth Barraza

  My thinking has shifted with this case

  Posted by Ryan on August 27, 2024 at 9:19 pm

  I’ve been following this case for several years and more recently I have begun to shift my thinking when it comes to what occurred, and why over 5 years later we haven’t seen an arrest. Please note what I am about to write is of course my personal thoughts, and I am happy to have a discussion beyond it. Like everyone else, I just want this solved.

  What struck me in particular was listening to a recent podcast (True Crime Broads) featuring her parents where Liz’s father discussed his plans to help set up the garage sale with her since he was between jobs and Liz suggested he earn some cash with her. The night before the garage sale and ultimately her murder, he stated that he felt his time was better spent seeking employment opportunities, and that he called Liz that night to tell her he wouldn’t be there and she completely understood.

  This tidbit of information is a major detail when trying to piece together what occurred, why, and by whom. It seems like the overall consensus of this case is that the perpetrator knew of this garage sale, waited for Sergio to leave, and shot Liz when she was alone waiting in her driveway for strangers to buy her items. This hypothesis is the basis for many suspecting foul play from within Sergio’s family, or someone with access to her inner circle that knew the details of the upcoming garage sale.

  If the plan was for Liz’s father to join her and then that plan changed under 12 hours prior, that hypothesis totally gets thrown out of the water. Think of this way – was the original plan to commit this crime while her father was there and possibly kill him as well? That doesn’t make sense and seems incredibly risky. The entire environment of the garage sale changed the night before. You went from two people being there to just one. The quickness in relaying that information to the murderer would have had to have happened from Sergio – and there is absolutely zero evidence that suggests that. Police would be all over that late night message, call, communication.

  I believe what has made this case unsolvable for the last 5 years stems from the simple and scary notion that despite efforts look within, find a motive, look into family, friends, stalkers – the more plausible scenario is that while this crime was intentional and deliberate, Liz wasn’t the intended target.

  Let’s reframe the case under that lens briefly in bullet points:

  • By her own parent’s words, you have someone who had no real enemies and was considered by the police as a “good actor”. She didn’t partake in drugs, gangs, or any other illegal activity.

  • You have a garage sale that up until the night before, two people were setting up.

  • You have a vehicle that approaches the neighborhood around 2AM

    • Suggests this person is unfamiliar with the area, target house, and course of events. If the plan was to shoot Liz while she was alone outside after Sergio left, what is the 2AM drive by for? Why scope out the area that early unless you are unfamiliar.

  • Vehicle returns right after Sergio leaves.

    • This is what I believe is the most puzzling element that has perhaps taken detectives in the opposite route initially. I don’t have an answer for this, but I do believe this is a major red herring.

  • Individual arrives, exits vehicle, disguised, has a minor exchange, and shoots her.

    • Also in the True Crime Broads podcast, the parents don’t believe Liz knew her killer. The father even mentioned how he’s joined the 501st legion since her death, and can recognize fully costumed people just based on their gait.

    • A disguise and deliberate walk up shows clear intention to kill.

    • Minor exchange. Many consider this to be the murderer telling or showing Liz why she’s about to die. I believe this is the murderer self verifying Liz is the right person, but not getting any clear indication.

  • Vehicle returns about a minute later

    • Verifying death? Verifying right person? This is also another baffling element of this.

  A lot of this case doesn’t make sense, but I don’t believe there is any evidence to dispute that while a murder of someone was intended that morning, Liz was not supposed to be that person. I think detectives may have slowly moved in that direction by bringing in other agencies that handle gangs, narcotics, firearms, etc.

  Detectives made a comment to Liz’s parents that they would be shocked once they find out who did this. Perhaps the shock will be that not only is it someone they don’t know, but that Liz was never the intended target. I don’t know what’s more heartbreaking…

  Ryan replied 3 months, 4 weeks ago 1 Member · 0 Replies
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