Elizabeth Barraza, 29, was fatally shot on Jan. 25, 2019, while preparing for a garage sale outside her home in Tomball, Texas. The attack was captured by her doorbell camera minutes after her husband left for work. Barraza died the following day.
Investigators suspect the shooting was meticulously planned, with the assailant targeting a time Barraza was likely to be alone and taking measures to avoid clear identification on camera. The shooter did not steal any items from the garage sale, leaving the motive unclear. Barraza's family reported that she had no known enemies and had recently taken out a $500,000 life insurance policy.
The case is the focus of the fifth episode of "Somebody Knows Something," titled "Garage Sale Murder," which premiered on Aug. 31.
Barraza's parents, Bob and Rosemary Nuelle, became alarmed after receiving an alert that their daughter's house alarm had been triggered and they or her husband, Sergio Barraza, could not reach her. Upon arriving at the hospital, they found their daughter severely injured.
Law enforcement initially focused on Sergio Barraza as a suspect after he arrived at the scene. He told the program's host, Kara Robinson Chamberlain, that he was stunned upon arriving home and recalled being "frozen there" in a police car, which investigators found suspicious. Sgt. Michael Ritchie of the Harris County Sheriff's Office stated that Sergio remained a suspect, but noted there was no evidence of marital problems or infidelity, and that Sergio had cooperated with investigators.
Sergio Barraza has denied any involvement in his wife's death. Both he and Elizabeth were active members of the 501st Legion, a Star Wars-themed charity and costuming group, which they joined in college. The couple participated in community events and worked with organizations like Make-A-Wish.
During the investigation, attention turned to Sergio's father, Oscar Barraza, whom Liz had reportedly argued with over a bounced check from Sergio's work with his father. Sergeant Ritchie suggested that if Liz had confronted Oscar, he might have benefited from her death, though he acknowledged this theory was circumstantial. Oscar Barraza passed a polygraph test, but authorities still consider him a suspect. He did not respond to requests for comment.
Sergeant Ritchie indicated that the case may be nearing a resolution, stating, "We do have an ace up our sleeve." He mentioned undisclosed evidence that could lead to solving the crime.
Bob Nuelle died of cancer on May 10, 2026. Rosemary Nuelle continues to seek justice for her daughter.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Harris County Sheriff's Office at (305) 743-7433.