An illegal immigrant who was deported to Mexico in 2020 has been accused of murdering a Michigan woman after unlawfully re-entering the US.
Brandon Ortiz-Vite, who is currently being held in the Kent County, Michigan, jail, has been charged with felony murder, open murder, carjacking, carrying a concealed weapon, and felony use of a firearm after the body of Ruby Garcia, 25, was discovered on U.S. 131 in downtown Grand Rapids and identified by investigators.
The couple was in a romantic connection at the time of the homicide, authorities said at a news conference on Tuesday.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokeswoman verified that Ortiz-Vite was in the country unlawfully when Garcia died. Ortiz-Vite, 25, was detained by Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Detroit on August 31, 2020, and issued a notice to appear.
An immigration judge from the Justice Department’s Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) ordered his removal on September 24, 2020, and he was deported to Mexico on September 29, 2020, according to an ICE spokesperson. “At an unknown date and location, Ortiz-Vite reentered the United States without inspection by an immigration official.”
“On Mar. 24, 2024, ERO Detroit encountered Ortiz-Vite under him being arrested by the Michigan State Police and charged with murder and other crimes,” the spokesperson went on to say. “ERO Detroit lodged a detainer with the Kent County Jail for Ortiz-Vite.”
Garcia’s body was discovered with gunshot wounds by Michigan State Police troopers at southbound U.S. 131 and Leonard Street around 11:38 p.m. on Friday.
Garcia’s vehicle was discovered Saturday parked in a quiet neighborhood. On Sunday, Ortiz-Vite contacted 911 and requested to speak with officials. He was detained and placed in jail.
He was arraigned on Tuesday and ordered jailed without bond, Kent County Prosecuting Attorney Chris Becker told reporters.
“So this is another case of domestic violence homicide,” he went on to say. Becker stated that the incident occurred in Garcia’s automobile without going into detail.
Garcia’s sister, Mavi Garcia, has since set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for Ruby’s funeral. As of Tuesday afternoon, the fundraiser has received 270 donations and raised more than $15,100, exceeding the original goal of $13,000.
Speaking to The Midwesterner earlier this week, Mavi Garcia, who previously identified Ortiz-Vite as the culprit in her sister’s death in a Facebook post, described her sister as “a great person all around.”
“She would brighten up the room with her beautiful smile and laugh,” Garcia described her sister. “She loved to travel, was dedicated to her work, and enjoyed being with her family in her free time.” “She was a wonderful daughter, sister, aunt, and friend.”
Ruby will be remembered for being full of life and fun; those who knew her would know she was silly and made everyone laugh,” Garcia added. “Her death has had a wide-ranging impact on many people. Her life ended too soon. She deserved to live, travel, have children, and pursue her goals.”