The founder of beloved Tex-Mex chain Las Palapas was allegedly stabbed to death by his troubled nephew inside his San Antonio home.
Edward ‘Ron’ Acosta, 78, was slaughtered on Tuesday morning after an argument with his nephew, David Ruiz, 39.
The high-profile restaurateur was found bloodied in the garage of his gated-community home by his housekeeper, who frantically dialed 911 upon making the gory discovery.
When interviewed by investigators, the housekeeper recalled the victim’s chilling screams as he pleaded for his life – ‘No, David! No, David!’
Ruiz fled the scene, but was captured by police a few hours later in Kimble County, northwest of San Antonio and charged with murder.
The alleged killer was displaying alarming behavior in the days leading up to the shocking murder, his father revealed to the San Antonio Express-News.
James Ruiz, 78, of Whittier, California, claimed his son’s mental health had been spiraling out of control.
He was worried Ruiz, also of Whittier, was going to hurt himself.
‘I thought I was going to lose him to suicide,’ James sorrowfully confessed to the outlet.
‘I never thought he’d hurt someone else – especially not Ronnie. He just completely snapped.’
James also said he had a deadbolt installed on his bedroom door to protect himself from his erratic son.
‘I decided, for my own safety, I’d lock myself in my bedroom,’ he told the outlet, adding he believed his son was smoking meth, adding to his rapidly declining mental state.
Ruiz took off on Sunday, claiming to be going to visit Acosta’s son Aaron and his brother Steven, who resides with Aaron.
He had not slept for four days straight, and James said he was hallucinating and becoming terrifyingly paranoid – believing people were trying to hurt him.
Ruiz had also told his girlfriend that James died, prompting her to start to worry about his well-being.
On his way to San Antonio, he allegedly asked Aaron to buy him a gun – a request the concerned cousin refused.
While Ruiz was still on the run, police contacted James and told him to notify them if he returns to their California home.
He then texted his son, urging him to turn himself into the police for murdering Acosta.
When confronted with the accusation, Ruiz told his father: ‘Oh, you’re crazy.’
Before this alarming episode, Ruiz had never been violent. James described him as a loving father of three who worked at a foster care facility for troubled children.
He is now grappling with the fact that Ruiz allegedly went after his uncle, who he previously ‘had no contact with.’
Acosta moved from Los Angeles to San Antonio more than 40 years ago, founding his Texas-based restaurant empire in 1981, the San Antonio Express-News reported.
There are more than 20c locations throughout the San Antonio area.
In a heartfelt tribute to the devoted businessman, the franchise wrote on Facebook: ‘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. Many knew him as the founder of Las Palapas, but those closest to him knew him as a kind, God-fearing man who believed in serving others, whether through food, friendship, or faith.
‘Ron’s impact reached far beyond the restaurants he helped build. He brought people together, created jobs and opportunities, and shared his love of culture and community in everything he did. He will be missed more than words can express.’