Woman found dead in U-Haul van in 1997 still a mystery to SAPD

Police hoping witnesses to 1997 death of Gina Tovar, 28, will come forward

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio police have some clues, but no witnesses in a slaying that has remained unsolved since it happened in 1997.

A security guard at the Alamo Downs business complex was making his rounds on July 18 when he spotted a U-Haul van parked in the lot.

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"Upon closer inspection, he saw the bloody foot of the victim sticking out of a pile of clothes on the front floorboard of the van," police said.

It was the body of Gina Tovar, 28. She had been stabbed to death.

Police said she had last been seen in the van at the Phillips 66 gas station at Loop 410 and Culebra Road around 1 a.m. on July 18.

"It appears from investigation that the van was parked in the lot at Alamo Downs some time between 2:20 - 3 a.m.," police said. 

While investigators said they have not found a clear motive for Tovar's slaying, they said drugs may have been involved.

The case is still being investigated by SAPD's Cold Case Squad. If you have any information, call 210-207-7635.