After murdering Isela Mauricio-Sanchez, Rico-Ruvira fled to Mexico with their 3-year-old son.
Roswell, NM – This afternoon, Jorge Rico-Ruvira was found guilty of second-degree murder and child abuse. Rico-Ruvira faces 18 years in prison. Sentencing will take place on December 1st, 2023.
“The vicious murder of Ms. Mauricio-Sanchez and the horrific events her children were forced to endure at the hands of Rico-Ruvira further highlights the grave issue we have with domestic violence in this state,” said AG Torrez. “Cases like these are the reason my office supports actions that help domestic violence victims seek protection and resources to help curb the cycle of abuse. I hope that today’s verdict gives Isela’s family some measure of justice in this senseless crime.”
On January 7, 2020, Isela Mauricio-Sanchez was found deceased in her home by her father after the family could not reach her for several days. The victim lived with her and Rico-Ruvira’s two children, an 8-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old son. The victim’s daughter was alive and had been abandoned in the home by the Defendant, but their son was missing, presumed to have been taken by Rico-Ruvira. Shortly after the victims were discovered, the Roswell Police Department obtained an arrest warrant for the Defendant and issued an Amber Alert for the victim’s 3-year-old son. On March 8th, 2022 Rico-Ruvira was extradited from Mexico after he and his son were located in the State of Jalisco, Mexico, on Oct. 6, 2021. The victim’s son was safely returned to his extended family.
The cause of death was determined to be strangulation, which the Defendant had previously been charged with in October 2019, following a domestic dispute with Isela. The October 2019 case is still pending.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Gardner and Jonathan Roehlk, Deputy District Attorney in New Mexico’s 5th Judicial District.
