On Tuesday evening, three bodies were covered as investigators and family members tried to figure out what happened.
Wednesday was no different. The bodies had long since been taken to the coroner’s office—but Rio Grande City investigators continued putting the pieces together.
Family members of Lydia Pinal, Rosa Alaniz, and Mary Lou Sanders mourned the loss of their loved ones.
Pinal’s Aunt spoke to Action 4 News.
“They let us know yesterday and we drove in from Monterey," Pinal said. "We don't know what's going to happen-- she has five children and now both of their parents are gone."
This, after Lydia’s husband Francisco Pinal allegedly followed her to a home off of Expressway 83---and shot her and the other women in cold blood.
"He had been following her for a while and parked close to where the incident occurred,” said RGC Assistant Police Chief Noe Castillo. “That's where he carried out the homicides.”
Castillo said Pinal and Francisco Pinal have had problems for years. He said it was when Pinal decided to leave her husband that he took action.
"When someone is determined to carry out something in this nature it's hard to stop them," said Castillo.
Family members of Pinal claim she had a protective order against Francisco.
Castillo said she might have, but could not confirm the allegation.
He said immediately after Francisco shot the three women---he drove back to his home and killed himself.
"They found the suspect with a gunshot wound to his chest," said Castillo.
Unfortunately for the other two victims—Pinal’s mother and friend—they paid the ultimate price for trying to keep her safe.
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