SAN ANTONIO – The heinous homicide of Las Palapas’ founder has sent shockwaves through San Antonio.

Edward ‘Ron’ Acosta, 78, was found Tuesday morning brutally murdered, stabbed to death by a relative at his home on the Far North Side.

RELATED: Las Palapas founder stabbed to death by relative inside North Side home, suspect detained

Investigators are revealing details, as friends and food workers are grappling with the grief.

“You’ll hear over 500,000 stories about Ron Acosta, and he had a very big heart for the community of San Antonio,” said Brad Peak. “He’s going to be missed.”

Friends and family of the businessman, better known ‘Ron’ were shocked by the news of his tragic death. Many of them remembering heart for service and love for God.

“He was a friend and if you spent any time with Ron, again, he loved Jesus, he loved his family, he loved helping people around him and that’s a great legacy I think will outlive all of us,” Gilbert Hernandez said.

San Antonio police said Acosta was killed Tuesday morning at his home off Reata Trail. Police arrested 39-year-old David Ruiz for his murder; saying the two are related.

A friend of Acosta who does not want to be identified said Ron recently spoke about having difficulties with some family members, adding it may have been over changes to his will.

“It’s a personal loss for me, it’s also a big loss for the city,” Todd Johnson said. “He wasn’t looking for attention, but he made a big difference, and I don’t really think people realize the depths of the impact he’s had.”

According to court documents, Ruiz was visiting Acosta from California.

Ron reportedly invited Ruiz to stay at his house, they planned to meet with other family members once he arrived.

Police said the two had an argument that lead to the stabbing, but did not share what it was about.

“I’m grateful and I’m hopeful that justice will prevail,” Hernandez said, “But we also pray for that person, that God will have mercy.”

Acosta moved to San Antonio from Los Angeles and opened his first Las Palapas restaurant across from Churchill High School on Blanco Rd. in 1981 — turning it into a multi-million-dollar chain with 24 locations.

Ruiz is jailed in Kimble County, but will be transferred to the Bexar County Jail.