Edward “Ron” Acosta, the founder of San Antonio restaurant chain Las Palapas, was fatally stabbed on Tuesday in what police say was a murder committed by his own nephew. Acosta, 79, was discovered bleeding out in his home on San Antonio’s North Side by a housekeeper, who quickly called 911. Police quickly identified the suspect as Acosta’s nephew, David Ruiz, 39. According to a police affidavit, Ruiz, who lives in California, had been invited by Acosta’s son to stay at the family home and had spoken to his uncle on the phone just a few hours earlier. Though Ruiz fled the scene, police later apprehended him in Kimble County, about two hours outside of San Antonio. Ruiz’s father later told San Antonio Express-News that his son had “just snapped.” Acosta founded the popular Tex-Mex chain, which has 23 locations in and around San Antonio, in 1981, but had since retired and sold a majority stake to one of his franchise owners. In a statement after his death, the company wrote, “Ron was a man of deep faith, a generous spirit, and a true community leader. His warmth, vision, and work ethic left an undeniable mark on San Antonio.”
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