New $5,000 reward sparks renewed hope in cold case

(Seguin) — Guadalupe County Sheriff Joshua Ray is asking the public to help his investigators solve one of the county’s oldest unsolved homicide cases.

Ray recently dedicated an episode of his Straight Talk series to the 43-year-old murder of Dilia Hernandez Soto. During the show available on YouTube, Ray reminded residents that while the investigation is decades old, it remains an active case.

Hernandez Soto, a Holly Farms employee and mother of three young sons, was recently divorced following what was described as an abusive relationship. Friends and family remembered her as a social person who enjoyed being around others.

On July 3, 1983, at 1:15 a.m.Hernandez Soto was found badly beaten along State Highway 123 near the Dyess Food Market in Guadalupe County. Investigators believe she may have been thrown from a moving vehicle. She was transported to Methodist Hospital in San Antonio but never regained consciousness. She died seven days later, and her death was ruled a homicide.

Ray says the passage of time has not diminished investigators’ commitment to finding the person responsible.

“A cold case does not mean that a case is closed. It doesn’t mean we stop caring or stop looking. It means we haven’t solved it yet. At the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office, we carry these cases forward. Every one of them represents a real person and a real family that never got answers. I believe that the passage of time does not reduce our obligation to those families. If anything, it increases — relationships change. Someone who was afraid to talk to us 20 or 30 years ago may not be afraid anymore. Someone who protected a friend or a family member may feel differently today. That is why we continue to press on and put these cases in front of you, the public,” said Ray.

Ray says that reality has left a family waiting decades for justice.

“Investigators determined that Dilia was assaulted sometime before she was found on the highway. Witnesses reported seeing her in the company of an unidentified male shortly before the attack. That individual has never been identified. Now, let that sit with you for just a second. A 23-year-old woman was beaten so severely on a public highway in our county that she died a week later. And nobody has ever been held accountable for it. This July 3rd marks 43 years since Dilia was found on that road. 43 years her family has lived without justice. 43 years that someone has walked free after taking a young woman’s life,” said Ray.

Believing that memories, relationships and loyalties can change over time, Ray is urging anyone with even the smallest piece of information to come forward amd help finally solve this crime.

“I’m asking you directly, if you know something about what happened to Dilia Hernandez Soto on the night of July 2nd or the early morning hours of July 3rd, 1983, please come forward. It does not matter how small the detail seems to you. It does not matter if you think it’s not important. Let us make that determination. One piece of information can break a case wide open after decades. Maybe you were at the Dyess Food Market that night. Maybe you knew Dilia or the people she was with. Maybe somebody told you something years ago that you dismissed or forgot about. Maybe you know exactly who did this and you’ve been carrying that weight for over 4 decades. Whatever the case, now is the time,” said Ray.

The sheriff says speaking up after more than four decades may be difficult but believes justice is still possible.

“Now let me be clear about this. I understand that coming forward about something that happened 43 years ago is not easy. People have built entire lives since 1983. But Dilia didn’t get that opportunity. She didn’t get to build her life. She was 23 years old. She never got the chance. And her family deserves to know who is responsible. I’ve been in law enforcement for almost 25 years. I’ve investigated many cases similar to this one when I was with the Texas Rangers. I can tell you from experience that cold cases get solved when people talk. Someone who knows something finally decides it’s time to say it and come forward. If that’s you, please pick up the phone. Call Crime Stoppers or call our office. Do it today,” said Ray.

Ray says anyone with information can even remain anonymous. He says they are just looking to uncover the truth.

In fact, the sheriff’s focus on this cold case has prompted the Guadalupe County Crime Stoppers Board to increase its reward in this case to $5,000. That’s $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for her 1983 murder.

“If you go through Crime Stoppers, you can remain completely anonymous. You do not have to give your name. You do not have to testify. And information that leads to the identification and arrest of the person responsible could be eligible for a reward,” said Ray.

The enhanced reward is a limited time offer and will expire in two weeks. Tips must be received by July 29, 2026.

“Guadalupe County Crime Stoppers’ decision to raise the reward demonstrates strong community partnership and support for our continued efforts to seek justice,” said Ray.

Again, anyone with information about the murder of Dilia Hernandez Soto is encouraged to contact the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office or the Guadalupe County Crime Stoppers.

Submitting a tip online is also available through the Guadalupe County Crime Stoppers website. Tips may be submitted online at www.crimestoppersguadalupe.org, through the Guadalupe County Crime Stoppers phone app, or by calling 1-877-403-8477 (TIPS).