A Texas woman was shot and killed by her estranged husband, who kidnapped her before the two were found dead inside his car from apparent gunshot wounds in a horrific murder-suicide.
Burleson Police Chief Billy Cordell told reporters during a press conference that Bianca Garza Ramirez dropped her two children off at school on Thursday, October 29, before she and her new boyfriend, Ezekiel Cain, went to have a “civil conversation” with her husband, Axel Ramirez.
During the meeting, Ramirez, 34, forced Garza Ramirez, 34, into his car at gunpoint and he sped off.
Both Garza Ramirez and her boyfriend called 911 to report the kidnapping, and police set out on a chase that lasted 34 minutes and spanned 25 miles.
The pursuit ended near Borland Field Airport in Crescent, and police found both Garza Ramirez and Ramirez dead in the suspect’s vehicle. Police then confirmed that the pair died in a murder-suicide.
Police have not yet revealed if they believed there was a motive in the shooting. However, authorities confirmed the couple was estranged and Ramirez moved out of their family home in August amid their separation.
Authorities added that there have been no previous calls to the house, though Cordell noted that many domestic violence incidents are not often reported.
Cain told CBS News Texas she had left her ex after years of emotional and physical abuse and was looking forward to pursuing her goal of becoming a nurse.
“I remember getting a call from Bianca, and she called me. She said, ‘baby, he’s downstairs. And he said he has a gun.’ And that’s when I immediately called 911,” Cain said. “I see his black Yukon start to drive off. And that’s when I began to chase it. He drove. He sped off too fast. And as I’m giving the directions to 911 dispatch, they inform me that PD does have eyes on the vehicle.”
Cain added, “It was at that time that I decided to get in my car and to pursue it as well. We drove for 30 minutes plus, but by the time I got to the airport in Cresson, it was too late and she was already gone.”
Prior to the incident, Garza Ramirez had just graduated from nursing school, according to WKRC. She was also the mother to 9-year-old and 14-year-old daughters.
Following the tragedy, Garza Ramirez’s new boyfriend took to Facebook to share a tribute to Garza Ramirez, whom he affectionately called Bibi.
“I will never stop loving you Bibi Ramirez, you were [taken] from this world too soon. In a short time, you showed genuine love and kindness to our little family!” he wrote. “[I] promised to always love and protect you, I’m so sorry!!! Please know that I loved you dearly and will always look out for our daughters!”
Loved one Franny Ramirez also shared insight into who Garza Ramirez was while celebrating her nursing school graduation in a Facebook post on October 14.
“This girl went through one of the hardest times in her life and she did it!! Against all odds, she had everything in life against her, and she persisted, she cried, she did it scared, she kept going!!” Franny wrote alongside photos of Garza Ramirez’s graduation ceremony. “I’m excited for this new chapter you’re about to enter!! I’ll be here for that too!!”
The investigation into the case remains ongoing and police work to determine what incidents led up to the murder-suicide.
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