On October 31, 2021, 50-year-old Paula Ayala and her common-law husband, 71-year-old Ron Thomas, were shot to death inside their Angleton, Texas, home while children were playing outside on Halloween. Investigators say an intruder entered the residence, shot both victims, then fled in a dark-colored SUV with chrome accessories. The suspect was described as a 6-foot-tall man wearing an all-black and yellow face mask.

Authorities have characterized the killings as targeted rather than random; no motive has been released and no arrests have been announced. Family members, including Paula’s sister Samantha Castaneda and her mother Dora Nieto, described the shock and grief over the loss. Brazoria County Crime Stoppers offered a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest.

The violent nature of the attack left the community reeling and the case remains unsolved. Does anyone with knowledge of activity in the neighborhood that Halloween evening or information about a dark SUV seen near the home have tips to share?