Her remains were found chopped into more than 200 pieces in her own backyard. Decades later, no one has ever been charged with her murder.
Monika Rizzo, 44, was last seen alive on May 5, 1997, when she left her job at the Texas Department of Human Services in San Antonio without explanation, leaving her purse behind. Months later, her remains were discovered buried in the backyard of the home she shared with her husband, Leonard.
Signs of Trouble
In the months before her disappearance, coworkers had grown concerned about Monika, noticing significant weight loss and bruising. When she stopped coming to work, her manager reached her by phone; she said she wasn't feeling well and would return the following Monday. She never did. Her husband, Leonard, later told police he'd simply woken up one morning a few days later to find her gone. He never reported her missing.
The First Tip
On June 5, 1997, San Antonio police received an anonymous call claiming Leonard had killed Monika and buried her remains in the backyard. Officers arrived to find Leonard having a seizure; he was hospitalized. A search of the property at that time turned up only animal bones.
The Second Tip and a Grim Discovery
Almost a month later, the same anonymous caller phoned again, this time specifying that remains were buried under a pile of tires in the yard. Police returned and, with permission from the couple's adult son, searched more thoroughly. This time, they found human bone fragments, hair, and bodily fluids in both the backyard and an outdoor barbecue pit. Investigators also found evidence of a violent struggle inside the home, including damaged drywall and blood spatter.
An Extensive Excavation
A team of archaeologists from the University of Texas spent eight days excavating the yard, ultimately recovering more than 200 bone fragments, each cut into pieces smaller than three inches — consistent, investigators believed, with the use of a wood chipper or similar tool. DNA testing eventually confirmed that all of the recovered remains belonged to Monika, though investigators had initially and mistakenly believed the fragments might represent multiple people.
The Anonymous Caller Identified
The anonymous tipster was later identified as Robert Hakala, a family friend, who explained he had been at the Rizzo home and noticed the family dog playing with what turned out to be a human jawbone matching Monika's distinctive overlapping teeth. He was never named a suspect in the case.
No Charges Filed
Despite the extensive physical evidence, the Bexar County District Attorney's office concluded there wasn't sufficient evidence to file charges against Leonard, who has consistently denied any involvement and, even after DNA results confirmed the remains were Monika's, continued to publicly insist she was still alive. A homicide detective later said Leonard had indicated he would confess in exchange for a ten-year probated sentence, an offer investigators weren't able to formalize; Leonard has denied ever making that statement.
A Separate Arrest
In May 1999, Leonard was involved in a violent altercation with his then-girlfriend, who told police he had threatened to "kill her, chop her up, put her in a garbage bag and bury her." The confrontation escalated into an armed standoff, during which police shot and wounded him after he pointed a gun at officers. He survived and was later convicted on four counts, including assault with a deadly weapon and drug possession, and served time before his release in 2001. He has had no further arrests in Texas since.
Where the Case Stands Now
Monika's remains were laid to rest beside her son, who had died of cancer the previous year. Her case remains officially unsolved, though Leonard has continued to be publicly identified as the prime suspect in ongoing local reporting, including a 2019 and 2022 examination of the case by San Antonio's KSAT news. Her father, Bill McKinney, later published a book about the case, "The Raw Truth!", drawing on police reports and news coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was anyone ever charged with Monika Rizzo's murder?
No. Despite extensive physical evidence, prosecutors concluded there wasn't sufficient evidence to file charges, and the case remains officially unsolved.
Whose remains were found in the backyard?
DNA testing confirmed all recovered bone fragments belonged to Monika Rizzo.
Is Leonard Rizzo still alive?
As of the most recent public reporting, yes, though he has had no further arrests in Texas since his 2001 release from prison on an unrelated conviction.
Who was the anonymous tipster?
Robert Hakala, a family friend, who was never considered a suspect in the case.