Investigators in Texas have uncovered a potential connection between a convicted serial killer, Raul Meza Jr., who is currently serving a life sentence, and more cold cases in Austin. Meza was convicted of killing Jesse Fraga and Gloria Lofton in September 2024, after turning himself in to the Austin Police Department in March 2023. During a 14-minute call with Detective Patrick Reed, Meza confessed to the murders of Fraga and Lofton, as well as providing dates, locations, and other details that investigators began to corroborate and investigate.
After gathering enough evidence to put together a case for the murders of Lofton and Fraga, a warrant was issued for Meza’s arrest. He was located at a bus stop in North Austin and taken in for questioning. Detective Reed described the conversation as “unique,” noting that Meza appeared unbothered and experienced with police interrogations due to his prior encounters with law enforcement. Meza had previously been convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murder of 8-year-old Kendra Page in 1982, but was released on parole after serving only 11 years.
In a recent development, Meza pleaded guilty to the murders of Lofton and Fraga and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Detective Reed emphasized the significance of Meza’s life sentence, highlighting the closure it brings to the community while acknowledging that there is still work to be done in corroborating the details Meza provided during the phone call. Despite being eliminated from connection to eight cold cases in Austin, Meza is still being investigated in connection to four more cases pending DNA testing results.
With the investigation ongoing, Detective Reed and his team are working diligently to verify the information shared by Meza and determine any additional connections to cold cases in the Austin area. The Austin Police Department has remained tight-lipped on the matter, with no immediate response to requests for comment from Fox News Digital. As the case unfolds, the community is left to wonder about the extent of Meza’s involvement in unsolved crimes and the impact his incarceration will have on closing the chapter on these cold cases once and for all.
The revelation of a potential connection between Meza and more cold cases in Austin has sparked renewed interest in the investigation and the pursuit of justice for the victims and their families. Meza’s past criminal history, including his prior conviction for the murder of a young girl and subsequent release on parole, underscores the need for thorough investigations and accountability in cases of violent crime. As law enforcement continues to work on verifying the information provided by Meza and pursuing leads in other cold cases, the community remains hopeful for closure and justice for all those affected by these crimes.
