A Texas woman was kidnapped by her estranged husband and subsequently killed in an apparent murder-suicide that concluded after a high-speed police chase, authorities reported.
Bianca Garza, 34, was reportedly taken by her estranged husband, Axel Ramirez, 34, on Thursday morning shortly after she dropped off one of her children at school. Garza had brought her new boyfriend along for what was intended to be a "civil conversation" with Ramirez, according to Burleson Police Chief Billy Cordell. Instead, Ramirez allegedly forced Garza into his vehicle at gunpoint and fled.
Both Garza and her boyfriend managed to call 911 to report the kidnapping. The incident triggered a pursuit that spanned approximately 25 miles and lasted 34 minutes, with speeds often exceeding 100 miles per hour, Cordell stated.
The chase concluded near Borland Field Airport in Crescent, where law enforcement discovered Garza and Ramirez deceased inside the car. Police confirmed the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide, with both individuals having sustained gunshot wounds.
Police have not yet specified the motive behind the fatal incident. Ramirez had reportedly moved out of the family home in August following a separation. Authorities noted that while there had been no prior calls to the residence, domestic violence often goes unreported.
Garza, who was known as "Bibi," had recently graduated from nursing school and was the mother of two daughters, ages 9 and 14. Her new boyfriend, Ezekiel Cain, posted a tribute on Facebook, expressing his love for Garza and his sorrow for her premature death. He also vowed to look out for their daughters.
An online fundraiser described Garza as someone who loved God, music, animals, and her family above all else. It further stated that she possessed a generous heart and a caring spirit, with a passion for helping others, characterizing her nursing career not just as a job but as a calling.