Death in Refugio County: Was Cruz Cordova Sr.’s “Suicide” a Staged Cover-Up?
A Rushed Ruling in Refugio County
Cruz Cordova Sr. lived a full life. He was a veteran, a caretaker, and a father. At 75, he suffered from chronic pain and walked with a cane, but he was still managing the household, still cooking every meal, still holding on.
On March 2, 2023, he was found dead at his fishing cabin in Woodsboro, Texas. Just two hours after the discovery, Refugio County investigators declared it a suicide.
No autopsy had yet been completed. No toxicology report was returned. No family was interviewed. And the woman who lived with him for over 30 years—his common-law partner Margaret Perez—was never questioned as a potential witness.
Over a year later, a comprehensive forensic review from Dr. Deborah Johnson and an expanded civil evaluation from forensic criminologist Crystal Corl suggest something chilling:
“Homicide cannot be excluded.” — Dr. Deborah Johnson, Forensic Pathologist
The Timeline: What Really Happened on March 2, 2023?
According to official records and witness interviews:
March 1, around 6:30 PM: Margaret Perez says Cruz left the house to “drink a beer at the river.” She claims he took an ice chest with him and left his phone behind.
March 2, 1:26 PM: Anna Vega, a home health nurse, arrives at the cabin. She discovers Cruz deceased and calls 911.
1:37 PM: Refugio County officers respond. The first officer, Lt. Hugo Rosas, writes that Cruz appeared warm to the touch and that rigor mortis “had not set in.”
By 3:30 PM: The case is ruled a suicide, the body bagged, and the scene cleared. No forensic testing on the gun or Cruz’s hands is conducted.
This entire sequence—from discovery to suicide ruling—occurred in under two hours.
The Scene: Evidence of Staging?
Photos and reports from the scene raised numerous red flags:
A handgun was found on Cruz’s lap, but resting in his lap inconsistent with the normal position of a suicide. Officers claimed otherwise in their report.
A single red pill, covered in blood, was placed directly on his chest.
Three pill bottles were scattered around the scene, with pills spilled in unnatural positions. The pills were mainly over-the-counter pills.
His wallet and ID were placed on the armrest of a chair next to an open door opened to his I.D.—despite Cruz’s known habit of keeping items in a plastic bag due to mobility issues. His son stated after the interview his dad was “OCD” from working in aviation maintenance for his career.
Alcohol bottles, both empty and full, were also present. Cruz was a heavy drinker in younger days but due to age and being a caretaker for Margaret he wouldn’t drink more than 4 beers, according to his son.
Most disturbingly, no suicide note was found.
“There are multiple inconsistencies at the scene such as the placement of a single red pill... and several other staging indicators that point to the possibility of a staged crime scene.” - Crystal Corl, Forensic Criminologist, Independent Report into Cruz Cordova Sr.’s Death
Medical History: Was Cruz Capable of Getting There Alone?
According to more than three years of medical records and the analysis by Dr. Deborah Johnson:
Cruz suffered from chronic spinal pain, left foot drop, severe leg and knee pain, and walked using a cane.
He had diabetes, hypertension, and had undergone multiple back and knee surgeries.
He had anxiety and depression, but his psychiatrist reported no suicidal ideation as recently as October 2022.
His most recent check-up on February 15, 2023—just 15 days before his death—listed him as medically stable.
Cruz was two time cancer survivor overcoming cancer the last time in 2014.
Given this, it seems unlikely that Cruz could carry an ice chest, navigate uneven terrain, and sit comfortably with a loaded firearm to his temple.
Toxicology Report: The Drugs in His System
The autopsy toxicology report revealed:
Blood alcohol level: 0.236 (high despite the fact he’d only drink 4 beers due to being a caretaker for Margaret)
Hydrocodone (painkiller)
Nordiazepam (a metabolite of chlordiazepoxide—a sedative)
These drugs are central nervous system depressants and have sedative effects, particularly when combined. Dr. Johnson stressed:
"The three drugs in his blood are known to act synergistically — that is, the total effect of the three drugs is greater than each drug alone."
And further down:
"The presence of these substances makes it even more likely that the decedent could have been impaired enough to be vulnerable to foul play."
She also stated:
"It should have been apparent... that the decedent had been drinking and could possibly have fallen asleep."
The presence of these drugs undermines the theory that Cruz was in a fully alert, intentional state to stage his own suicide.
Forensics: The Evidence That Wasn’t Collected
Law enforcement failed to:
Test for gunshot residue (GSR) despite bagging both hands
Collect DNA from the weapon
Swab for blood spatter
Conduct ambient or body temperature checks
Process the scene for trace evidence
Interview key individuals—including neighbors or family
Even worse, the Justice of the Peace amended the death certificate to “suicide” without notifying next of kin, a violation of Texas Health & Safety Code 193.012.
Dr. Johnson commented bluntly:
"Given the toxicological results of the autopsy and the inadequate investigation, homicide cannot be excluded. The best manner in this case should be 'Undetermined.'"
Cruz Sr.’s Crime Scene Photo. Does this look natural?
Margaret Perez: The Missing Interview
Margaret Perez, Cruz’s long-time partner, was the last person to see him alive. Yet police never questioned her about:
Why she didn’t check on him when he failed to return
Why she claimed he left without his phone—something Cruz never did
Why she didn’t meet the nurse at the cabin as scheduled
Her access to the cabin and her role as a life insurance beneficiary
According to forensic reports, Margaret passed away just four months later. Her son became the successor beneficiary. Additionally, the home health nurse who called 911 and found Cruz wasn’t questioned by police.
Financial and Property Motives
Cruz Cordova Sr. reportedly had:
Multiple life insurance policies naming Margaret
Joint ownership of several vehicles
Sole legal ownership of riverside land and cabin property
All of these assets changed hands after his death. Law enforcement made no inquiry into potential financial motive, inheritance disputes, or access to the crime scene.
"Given the toxicological results... and the inadequate investigation, homicide cannot be excluded."- Dr. Johnson
CDC Data Refutes Bias
Officer Rosas stated that Cruz likely died by suicide because “older people feel like a burden and often take their lives.”
This is not supported by national data.
According to the CDC:
The suicide rate for individuals 65+ is only 0.388%.
Suicide is not even in the top ten causes of death in this age group.
Dr. Deborah Johnson’s Final Conclusion
In her 6-page forensic consultation, Dr. Johnson—an expert with more than 4,000 autopsies to her name—wrote:
“Refugio County investigators failed to perform anything but the most cursory of investigations. Given the toxicological results of the autopsy and the inadequate investigation, homicide cannot be excluded. The best manner in this case should be ‘Undetermined.’”
⚠️ Concerns Over Missing Body Camera Footage
As part of our ongoing investigation into the suspicious death of Cruz Cordova Sr., alarming questions have surfaced regarding the preservation and disclosure of key evidence—particularly body camera footage.
According to an email from the attorney representing Cruz Cordova Jr., the official law enforcement report specifically references body camera footage from Officer T. Williams (ID 512) and Officer Alex Dean Ochoa. However, the only video that has been received to date is from Officer Tammy Gregory.
When the attorney followed up with the department to request the missing footage, he was told by Kristy Wilson—on behalf of Lt. Gregory—that “there are no more videos.”
This is deeply concerning. If the official report documents footage captured by multiple officers, that video should have been preserved, catalogued, and made available through proper legal channels. The fact that its existence is now being denied without any meaningful explanation points to potential evidence mishandling—or worse.
This situation only reinforces long-standing concerns from Cruz’s family and investigative advocates: that this case was closed prematurely, without adequate review, and with possible procedural failures that denied the truth from ever surfacing.
At TheColdCases.com, we will continue to report on these developments, ensuring that no missing footage, unanswered question, or ignored red flag is forgotten.
A Son’s Mission for Justice
Cruz Cordova Jr. has made it clear: This isn’t about money—it’s about truth.
He has retained experts, built a timeline, filed ethics complaints, and continues to fight to amend the cause of death. He wants the death certificate changed from “suicide” to “undetermined” so a real investigation can happen.
“My father was a good man. He took care of everyone. He deserved better than this,” Cruz Jr. said.
What Happens Now?
TheColdCases.com is asking:
The Texas Department of Public Safety to review this case.
The Refugio County Sheriff’s Office to release all case documentation.
The Justice of the Peace’s ruling to be formally challenged.
Legal oversight and civil rights attorneys to support reclassification.
This case is a reminder of what happens when assumptions replace science, when families are left to investigate alone, and when justice is delayed not because of mystery—but because of neglect.
Cruz Cordova Sr. is more than a statistic. He was a man who loved, served, and survived. Until someone decided his story should end—and tried to control how it would be told.
At TheColdCases.com, we refuse to let that happen.
At TheColdCases.com, we believe that behind every investigation is a life worth remembering—a life filled with stories, love, and legacy. Today, we honor Cruz Cordova Sr., a man whose presence touched many and whose story deserves both dignity and truth.
Cruz was more than the circumstances surrounding his death. He was a father, a partner, and a friend. He was someone who cooked meals with care, never left home without his phone, and was known for his routines—like his trips down to the river, often with his beloved cane in hand. His life was shaped by decades of memories shared with loved ones at places like the family fishing cabin on Mark Road, and the home he made on Mission River Oaks Drive. Those close to him remember him as a man of habit, humor, and heart.
🙏 We extend our deepest gratitude to Cruz’s family—especially those who took the time to speak with us and share their memories and heartbreak. Your courage in revisiting painful truths, your unwavering hope for justice, and your trust in allowing us to tell Cruz’s story are not taken lightly. We see you, we hear you, and we are walking alongside you.
As we continue to seek answers, we will never lose sight of what truly matters: the person behind the case. Cruz Cordova Sr. deserves truth, remembrance, and peace. May this space serve as a tribute to him—and as a reminder that no one is forgotten.
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