Silva’s family says the SAPD detective in her case said there was no motive, no reason for this to happen.
SAN ANTONIO — December marks three years since the killing of a Del Rio woman who was shot while visiting family in San Antonio, and her loved ones say they are still searching for answers.
Police say 27-year-old Rayne Silva was riding in a pickup on Interstate 10 West near downtown on Dec. 17, 2022, when a single bullet pierced the driver’s side window and struck her in the head.
Silva was rushed to a hospital and placed on life support but died the next morning.
Her sister-in-law, Victoria Silva, was seated next to her at the time.
“I was speaking to her. I could still feel her with me, so I was just telling her that the kids were OK,” Victoria said.
Victoria said the family was driving westbound on I-10, just before the upper and lower level split, when they heard a loud noise and saw the window shattered.
“That’s kind of when we all just realized what had happened,” she said. “Someone had shot through the vehicle.”
Inside the truck were Victoria’s brother, who was driving, Victoria’s mother, and Rayne’s two young children. The family says nothing occurred on the roadway that would have provoked the shooting.
“There’s no kind of plan or easy or right way to deal with the emotions of having someone taken away from you so unexpectedly and so violently,” Victoria said.
Investigators later released photos of a dark-colored SUV seen traveling westbound on César Chávez Boulevard and South Flores Street moments before the shooting. The SUV is believed to be connected to the case.
As the family continues to grieve, they say they are desperate for the final piece of information that could help detectives identify the shooter.
“It’s like a puzzle — every piece is important,” Victoria said. “There is definitely someone out there holding on to that piece that might help us one day complete the puzzle.”
Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Anyone with information is urged to call San Antonio police or Crime Stoppers. Callers can remain anonymous.
Victoria Silva, asked KENS 5 to post a message to Rayne’s children who will one day read this story, as they seek answers into their mother’s murder.
“If you find yourself, filled with confusion and looking for an answer, and you find yourself reading articles or going to the internet, I want to remind you that you are not alone. The feelings that you’re feeling, the confusion is all very normal, and you have us to talk to, as well as everybody else who loved her.” Said Victoria Silva.