Texas Restaurant Titan Murdered by Nephew

By all accounts, Edward “Ron” Acosta was a San Antonio success story—a restaurant pioneer, devoted family man, and pillar of his community. But on Tuesday morning, the 79-year-old founder of Las Palapas was found bleeding to death inside his upscale home on the city’s North Side. The man now accused of killing him? His own nephew.

Sources say a longtime housekeeper walked into a gruesome scene just after 10 a.m. and immediately called 911. When first responders arrived, Acosta was unresponsive, suffering from multiple stab wounds. Despite life-saving efforts, the man who built one of South Texas’s most beloved Tex-Mex chains could not be revived.

Police quickly zeroed in on 39-year-old David Ruiz of California, Acosta’s nephew, as the prime suspect. Ruiz had recently been invited to stay at the family home by Acosta’s son, and investigators say he had even spoken to his uncle by phone just hours before the murder.

According to an arrest affidavit reviewed by local media, Ruiz fled the home shortly after the attack. Authorities launched a statewide manhunt and caught up with him in Kimble County—about two hours northwest of San Antonio—where he was taken into custody without incident.

In a heartbreaking statement to the San Antonio Express-News, Ruiz’s father confirmed the suspect is his son and expressed disbelief: “He just snapped. That’s the only way I can explain it.”

No official motive has been released, though investigators are reportedly examining possible mental health issues and family tensions that may have boiled over.

Ron Acosta opened the first Las Palapas in 1981 with a simple goal: to bring the flavors of Mexican street food to San Antonio families. Over four decades, his vision grew into a powerhouse franchise, with 23 locations dotting the city and surrounding areas. Though he retired and sold most of the company in recent years, Acosta remained a guiding force behind the brand.

“He was more than a businessman—he was the heart of our community,” one former employee told us. “Everyone in the industry knew Ron. He was tough but fair, and he never forgot where he came from.”

In a statement, Las Palapas leadership honored their founder with powerful words:
“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.”

David Ruiz is currently being held in custody and is expected to face formal murder charges in Bexar County. Authorities have not indicated whether he has retained an attorney.

As San Antonio mourns a man many considered an icon, the community is left reeling not just from the violence—but from the betrayal.

“This wasn’t just a crime,” a neighbor said. “It was a tragedy in the deepest sense. A family torn apart. A legacy stained. It doesn’t get more heartbreaking than that.”