A prominent Texas businessman and political appointee of Governor Greg Abbott has been found shot dead in a city close to the southern border with Mexico, police have confirmed.
Victim Found Unresponsive in McAllen Property
Eddy Betancourt, 61, from Mission, Texas, was discovered on the afternoon of Saturday, 27 December 2025. McAllen police officers responded to a 911 call to a property on the 800 block of North Ware Road, where they found him lying unresponsive on the floor. The department stated the victim had no pulse and appeared to have sustained gunshot wounds.
His death is being investigated as a homicide. Betancourt, who was president of R&B General Construction Co. Inc. and held several other business roles, reportedly maintained an office on the same strip of buildings where his body was found.
Murder Warrant Issued for Suspect
Law enforcement has identified Reynaldo Mata-Rios, 60, as a suspect in the killing. The McAllen Municipal Court issued a warrant on Sunday, 28 December, charging him with murder, a first-degree felony.
Police said the warrant has not yet been executed to give Mata-Rios an opportunity to surrender. "The suspect indicated his intent to surrender to the McAllen Police Department for this charge but he has not done so to date," a Monday statement read. His last known address was in nearby Pharr, Texas.
Mata-Rios is described as 6 feet tall, weighing approximately 195 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. The investigation is ongoing, and no motive or specific firearm details have been released.
Community Mourns a 'Tireless Advocate'
Betancourt was a significant figure in the Rio Grande Valley community. He served on the Hidalgo County Appraisal District Board of Directors and was a member of local and national realtors associations.
He was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the Texas Facilities Commission in 2020 and reappointed in 2023, with a term set to run until 2029. The commission oversees state-owned building construction, maintenance, and leasing.
Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez paid tribute online, calling Betancourt a "tireless advocate for our community" whose leadership and generosity made a lasting impact. Mission city councilman Ruben Plata, a former university classmate, told local media that people were shocked and saddened, remembering Betancourt as a hard-working gentleman and good businessman.
