Rachel Delarosa, a 29-year-old woman from Houston, TX, was tragically shot and killed on December 11, 2017. She was found dead in Missouri City, while her boyfriend, Robert Cerda, was found shot to death in northwest Houston. The couple had been on a date at Connie's restaurant in the Spring Branch area before their deaths. Surveillance footage from a gas station captured the last known images of them together, showing them playing around and joking as they walked into the store around 7
p.m.
The investigation into their deaths revealed that Rachel and Robert were shot with the same gun. Witnesses told investigators that Robert was killed in Spring Branch, at a hair salon on Long Point, while Josue Casco, who had a previous conflict with Robert, was involved in the shooting. Casco then allegedly took Rachel and shot her in Missouri City. Herbert James Simon, who was on parole at the time, was also charged with murder in connection with the deaths.
In 2022, Josue Casco was charged with capital murder, and Herbert Simon was charged with murder. Simon was sentenced to two life sentences for his role in the killings. The case took years to solve, but a tipster came forward, which helped break the case open. The families of Rachel and Robert have expressed relief and hope for justice, although the motive behind the murders remains a mystery.
The families continue to seek closure and justice for Rachel and Robert, and a $15,000 reward is still offered for any information that could help solve the case. The community remains hopeful that someone will come forward with information to bring those responsible to justice.
