Alleged murderer of Commissioner Eddy Betancourt absconded into Mexico
Governor Greg Abbott on Friday demanded the immediate extradition of Reynaldo Mata-Rios following the murder of Texas Facilities Commissioner Eddy Betancourt.
“Cecilia and I are deeply saddened by the senseless murder of Commissioner Eddy Betancourt, whose life was tragically taken on Saturday,” said Governor Abbott. “Betancourt was a patriot who served as Texas Facilities Commissioner with integrity and professionalism. I am formally demanding that President Claudia Sheinbaum and the Mexican government coordinate with the U.S. government to extradite alleged murderer Reynaldo Mata-Rios to Texas so he can face justice. Those who harm Texans must not be allowed to flee ‘across the Rio Grande’ and from there ‘taunt and defy the citizens of Texas,’ as Governor Coke stated almost 150 years ago. Instead, the Mexican government—if it wishes to be deemed ‘a friendly power’—must refuse to be ‘a sanctuary and place of refuge’ for those who murder Texans and ensure that they will go through due process and face the consequences of their actions.”
According to the McAllen Police Department, the 61-year old victim from Mission, Texas, was found shot to death on Dec. 27. 2025, inside a business on North Ware Road.
The suspect was identified as 60-year-old Mata-Rios, who said he would surrender to authorities on a charge of first-degree murder but never did.
In his statement on Friday, Abbott, who appointed Betancourt to the Texas Facilities Commission in 2023, indicated that Mata-Rios had fled to Mexico.
He invoked Texas’ 15th governor in his call for Mata-Rios’ extradition.
McAllen police urged anyone with information regarding Betancourt’s death or Mata-Rios’ whereabouts to call McAllen Crime Stoppers at 956-687-TIPS (8477).
