Suspected Nacogdoches Murderer Has Been Captured in California

On August 14, 2023, the Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office dispatched law enforcement personnel to a residence between Nacogdoches and Central Heights.

Once on the scene, deputies discovered a deceased male near the edge of a swimming pool.

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Rios Moves To California

Raymond John Rios II told officers that he killed his stepfather, George Tejeda Rivero, 67, in self-defense.

Investigators with the Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Rangers launched an investigation into the victim’s death to determine the facts of the case. During the course of the investigation, Rios moved away from his residence to California.

On Friday, September 5, 2025, Rios, 32, was extradited from California to Texas for a Murder warrant stemming from the incident that had occurred at 456 County Road 2091 in Nacogdoches.

Rios is accused of taking the life of Rivero during a physical altercation in a swimming pool at the residence where they lived at the time.

Arrest and Extradition of Rios

Rios was arrested in Los Angeles, California, in March of 2025 on the warrant issued from the investigation. Once he waived extradition, he was transported to Texas with the assistance of the US Marshal’s Office.

Rios was also arrested on a warrant for Aggravated Robbery that was issued for an incident that occurred on 02/03/2025 at the same address, in which Rios reportedly threatened to kill his 63-year-old mother while he displayed a firearm if she did not give him her vehicle and money. He allegedly later contacted her again, demanding more money and threatening to burn her house down if she did not give it to him.

Rios remains in the Nacogdoches County Jail for Murder, a first-degree felony with a bond of $500,000, and Aggravated Robbery, also a 1st degree felony with $250,000 bond.