207 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
Case Description
Any updates on this case?
Roberto Lara, a 24-year-old male of Hispanic ethnicity, tragically lost his life on January 1, 2002, in Atascosa County, Texas. His death was the result of a shooting at a rest stop, carried out by Richard Steven Merla, a member of the Bandidos motorcycle gang. The murder was reportedly in retaliation for the death of another Bandidos member, Javier Negrete, who was killed outside a San Antonio bar in October 2001.
Merla was arrested and later confessed to the murder of Lara. He received ...Read More
Merla was arrested and later confessed to the murder of Lara. He received ...Read More
Links to Additional Sources (2)
See any mistakes?Victim Details
Roberto Lara
Male
Hispanic / Latino
Atascosa
TX
2002-01-01
24
Roberto
Lara
11/23/2025

