Man convicted of fatally strangling mother of his kids, fleeing to Mexico with their 3-year-old son

ROSWELL, N.M. (TCD) -- A father faces 18 years in prison after being convicted of fatally strangling the mother of his children, abandoning their 8-year-old daughter, and fleeing to Mexico with their 3-year-old son.

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez announced Oct. 25 that Jorge Rico-Ruvira was found guilty of second-degree murder and child abuse in connection with Isela Mauricio-Sanchez’s death.

In January 2020, Mauricio-Sanchez’s family couldn’t reach her for several days, and her father went to her home and found her dead. Mauricio-Sanchez had lived in the home with her and Rico-Ruvira’s two young children.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, Mauricio-Sanchez and Rico-Ruvira’s 8-year-old daughter was "alive and had been abandoned in the home." Their 3-year-old son was reportedly missing, "presumed to have been taken by Rico-Ruvira."

New Mexico State Police and the Roswell Police Department issued an Amber Alert for the 3-year-old boy, saying he was last seen on Sunday, January 5, 2020, at 602 E. Forest. Police suspected he was with Rico-Ruvira, who they believe was driving a 2003 maroon GMC Yukon SUV to Mexico.

Police obtained an arrest warrant for Rico-Ruvira, and authorities found him and the boy nearly nine months later, on Oct. 6, 2021, in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. The boy was safely returned to extended family members.

On March 8, 2020, Torrez said Rico-Ruvira was extradited back to the United States to stand trial.

Prior to the victim’s strangling death, the attorney general said Rico-Ruvira was charged with aggravated battery stemming from a domestic dispute with Mauricio-Sanchez in October 2019.

In a statement, Torrez said, "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."

Rico-Ruvira’s sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 1.

MORE:

• Jorge Rico-Ruvira Found Guilty of Second Degree Murder and Child Abuse - New Mexico Attorney General's Office
• AG Balderas and DA Luce Announce Successful Extradition of Strangulation Homicide Suspect; Defendant Will Be Brought Back to Face Justice, 3/9/2022 - New Mexico Attorney General's Office
• Update and News Release, 1/7/2020 - New Mexico State Police/Roswell Police Department