‘SNAPPED’

Texas Restaurant Titan Allegedly Murdered by Nephew

The founder of a San Antonio-based restaurant chain was found dead at his home on Tuesday.

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.”