Maid finds Tex-Mex chain founder dying in garage, TX cops say. Relative arrested

The founder of a popular Tex-Mex restaurant chain was found fatally stabbed in his Texas home, and a family member is accused of killing him, police told news outlets.

Officers responded to a 911 call from a home on San Antonio’s north side and found a 78-year-old man with multiple stab wounds, according to a police department news release.

The attack happened Tuesday, July 1, Chief William McManus said, describing the killing as a “high-profile case,” MySanAntonio.com reported. McManus said there was an argument between two men before the stabbing.

According to court records, the victim is Edward Ronald Acosta, founder of the Las Palapas restaurant chain, KENS reported.

There are over 20 Las Palapas locations in the San Antonio area, including two in neighboring New Braunfels and another in Boerne, according to the restaurant’s website.

Acosta’s housekeeper found him after he was attacked, police told KENS.

While on the phone with 911, she “stated there was blood all around (Acosta) and she can’t control the bleeding,” according to police. Investigators said it appears he “bled out while lying in the garage,” though he was pronounced dead after being loaded into an ambulance.

A family member of Acosta’s stabbed him, the housekeeper said, according to police.

David Ruiz, 39, was later caught and taken into custody while at a truck stop in Kimble County, roughly 120 miles northwest from San Antonio, KSAT reported.

Ruiz is Acosta’s nephew, and on the morning he was killed, Acosta invited him to stay at his home after Ruiz drove to Texas from California, the San Antonio Express-News reported.

Ruiz’s father, James Ruiz, said his son was having serious mental health issues prior to the stabbing but is shocked by the killing, he told the Express-News.

“I thought I was going to lose him to suicide,” James Ruiz told the outlet. “I never thought he’d hurt someone else — especially not Ronnie. He just completely snapped.”

This story was originally published July 2, 2025 at 11:36 AM with the headline "Maid finds Tex-Mex chain founder dying in garage, TX cops say. Relative arrested."