RAYMONDVILLE – Authorities are asking the public to come forward with information on the case of a Raymondville woman whose body was discovered in a canal this week.

Raymondville Police Chief Uvaldo Zamora said the investigation has shifted to a homicide case. He said they’re looking for more evidence to find out why 49-year-old Nora Conde Villalobos, a former Marine, was killed.

Villalobos’ body was discovered in a canal off FM 1015 and Nittler Road in Hidalgo County. The discovery prompted the arrest of her boyfriend, Juan Manuel Tobias, on murder charges.

Zamora told CHANNEL 5 NEWS although there was sufficient evidence to charge Tobias with her murder, they are still trying to figure out a motive.

Drones, K9s and special search groups assembled throughout Willacy County in search of clues that could lead them to Villalobos’ whereabouts.

“In the last 33 days there’s been several bodies found, several missing people that have been recovered. And every time it was a woman or a female, we always went to Nora whether it was a good outcome or bad outcome. We still had hope and prayer,” Michelle Rodriguez-Zamarron, the family spokeswoman, said.

Rodriguez-Zamarron added Tobias never participated in any of the searches. She said the family had no knowledge of any issues between him and Villalobos.

“At all of our family searches and with Texas Equusearch, he was never present at any of our searches,” she said.

Zamora said they are far from done with the investigation.

“If maybe Mr. Tobias said something, if someone saw him in the vicinity. Maybe somebody else helped him. Any information in this investigation will help us a lot,” he said.

Zamarron said they can concentrate on healing now that Villalobos was located.

“My aunt was outgoing and fun-loving. She used to make cakes. That was her passion,” she said. “She was an artist. She drew anything and everything from sight. She was a creative person, a creative being.”

The family said they will hold funeral services once they get her body back from authorities.

The police chief said the family has also been receiving harassing and crude phone calls. He said his officers are working on finding that person or persons.

Zamora added the preliminary autopsy to determine Villalobos’ cause of death is still pending.