Austin Investigators Explore Links Between Convicted Serial Killer and Multiple Cold Cases

Austin Investigators Look into Possible Connection of Serial Killer to More Cold Cases

AUSTIN, Texas – The investigation into serial killer Raul Meza Jr. continues to expand as authorities believe he may be linked to additional cold cases in the area. Meza is already serving a life sentence in prison after pleading guilty to two murders but new information has emerged that suggests he could be involved in more unsolved crimes.

Unusual Phone Call Paves the Way for Investigation

Detective Patrick Reed from the Austin Police Homicide Unit shared that the investigation was reignited when Meza made a surprising phone call to the police in March 2023. “This time was a little bit different than any other time I’ve ever answered the phone,” Detective Reed said. Meza introduced himself and indicated that he believed police were looking for him.

The call lasted around 14 minutes, during which Meza provided various dates and locations of potential crime scenes. Detective Reed noted that Meza’s information was alarming but confirmed prior existing facts that had been compiled in previous investigations.

Details of Previous Crimes

According to the details disclosed during the call, Meza admitted to the murder of Jesse Fraga, his roommate in Pflugerville, as well as a woman identified as Gloria Lofton. This information helped police establish a strong link to the two murders. “We were able to corroborate a lot of information quickly,” Reid stated. Upon gathering enough evidence, the police were able to issue a warrant for Meza’s arrest, which culminated in his capture at a bus stop in North Austin.

This series of events has raised questions about other cold cases. Detectives have established that Meza was imprisoned multiple times before. Detective Reed remarked, “He’s been through the system quite a bit, so he wasn’t caught off guard or seemingly concerned in any way.”

Previous Records and Ongoing Work

Raul Meza has a troubling history, having committed the murder of 8-year-old Kendra Page back in 1982. He was sentenced to a lengthy prison term but was released on parole after just 11 years. Now, authorities suspect he may be responsible for potentially a dozen more murders, with at least two occurring in the last four years.

After pleading guilty to killing both Lofton and Fraga, Meza has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Detective Reed reflected that this sentence serves not just to punish Meza but also to reassure the community. “I think that sentence highlights the work that was done just as much as it may highlight what it means to the community for someone like him to be incarcerated for life without parole,” he said.

Investigators Continue Their Efforts

Despite Meza being behind bars, the Austin Police Department remains dedicated to uncovering the full extent of his crimes. “We’re still working to corroborate some of the stuff that he said in the phone call,” Detective Reed reiterated. Some family members of the victims have also been affected by the ongoing investigation. Lofton’s daughters have stated that Meza implicated other individuals in their mother’s case. “There are two other people who could be involved who are family members,” said Sonia Houston, Lofton’s daughter.

The authorities must validate Meza’s claims to determine any further involvement from these entities. “We want answers to a full actual, ethically, morally, completely genuine done case, completely open and closed, like let’s do it right,” said Christina Fultz, another daughter of Lofton.

Next Steps in the Investigation

As it stands, Meza has already been ruled out of connection in eight cold cases. However, four more cases are still waiting on DNA testing to see if they correlate with Meza. Detective Reed mentioned an ongoing case in Pflugerville from 2022 that is still under active investigation. “It’s moving forward, we have leads, but it’s still active and open,” he added.

While no links were found between Meza and cases in San Antonio, authorities remain vigilant in their search for further evidence. Detective Reed emphasized the uniqueness of this investigation in Austin: “It’s certainly one of the unique cases I think we’ll see in Austin.” Should connections to additional cases be established, the District Attorney’s Office may pursue further charges against Meza.

This ongoing investigation reflects a commitment to ensuring justice for the victims and their families, with all parties now working towards revealing the full extent of Meza’s actions.