“The Streets of Laredo”: Dateline Reports on Juan David Ortiz Homicides April 5 2025

This Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 9:00 PM ET/8:00 PM CT, Dateline NBC will air “The Streets of Laredo,” a harrowing look into the 2018 case of Juan David Ortiz, a former U.S. Border Patrol supervisor turned serial killer. The episode, reported by veteran correspondent Josh Mankiewicz, follows the chilling string of murders in Laredo, Texas, that left four women dead and a community in disbelief. The hour-long program dives deep into the lives of the victims, the shocking double life of the killer, and the brave woman whose escape ended the spree.

Through interviews with family members, investigators, and journalists including citizen crime chaser Priscilla Villarreal, the episode chronicles the complex case that revealed failures, heroism, and the horrors hiding in plain sight. With courtroom footage and firsthand testimony, Dateline traces how law enforcement identified a killer from within their own ranks and brought him to justice.

A Murder That Changed Everything: The Death of Melissa Ramirez

The killings began on September 3, 2018, when the body of 29-year-old Melissa Ramirez was found on a desolate road roughly 25 miles outside of downtown Laredo. Shot execution-style in the head, the crime bore signs of calculated violence. Though known by law enforcement as a sex worker, Ramirez’s family described her as a warm, funny, and protective mother who had once excelled in school.

Ramirez had struggled for years with untreated bipolar disorder and eventually turned to drugs. Her descent into sex work was something her family only learned about after her death. Despite the secrecy, she remained close to her relatives. In a chilling conversation at the kitchen table shortly before her murder, Ramirez told her sister-in-law that someone was going to kill her. She never said who. That premonition, tragically, would come true just weeks later.

A Second Victim and a Pattern Emerges

Ten days after Ramirez’s body was discovered, investigators found 42-year-old Claudine Luera clinging to life on a roadside near the location of the first murder. She had also been shot and later died at the hospital. Like Ramirez, Luera had a history of drug use and sex work. The bullet casings found near her body matched those used in the Ramirez case—Federal .40 caliber rounds typically used by law enforcement officers.

Luera’s daughter, Ciara Munguia, shared that her mother endured trauma from an early age and later fell into addiction. Despite her personal struggles, Luera remained a devoted mother. The similarities in both cases, including the type of victim and method of execution, led authorities to believe a serial killer was targeting vulnerable women in Laredo. Local law enforcement brought in the Texas Rangers and U.S. Customs and Border Protection for support, still unaware that the killer was already among them.

The Survivor Who Escaped and Broke the Case Open

On September 14, just one day after Luera’s murder, 26-year-old Erika Peña escaped an attempted killing by a man she knew as “David.” Peña, also a sex worker, ran to a Department of Public Safety trooper at a gas station after jumping from a moving vehicle. Her blouse had been torn during the struggle, and she told the officer that the man had pointed a gun at her head.

Peña later revealed that she had been with “David” several times before, including at his house. During their last encounter, he grew agitated when discussing the recent murders. He admitted he had been one of the last people to see one of the victims and expressed concern over leaving behind DNA evidence. When Peña tried to leave, he attacked her, but she managed to flee. Her detailed account gave law enforcement their first break.

The Shocking Identity of the Killer: Juan David Ortiz

Peña led authorities to the home of Juan David Ortiz, a high-ranking U.S. Border Patrol supervisor and seemingly devoted family man. The home, located in a quiet Laredo neighborhood, was not what investigators expected. As they waited outside the residence, news arrived that another woman’s body—Guiselda Alicia Hernandez, 34—had just been discovered.

Ortiz was eventually spotted at a nearby gas station and attempted to flee on foot. He was apprehended in a hotel parking garage. Initially denying all allegations, Ortiz later confessed to four murders: Melissa Ramirez, Claudine Luera, Guiselda Hernandez, and 28-year-old Janelle Ortiz, whose body was found in a gravel pit.

In chilling recorded interviews, Ortiz described his victims as “trash” and claimed he was trying to “clean up the streets” of sex workers. He admitted the killings were driven by hatred and personal anger. Prosecutors later suggested that he saw the women as threats to his career and family life. The murders intensified after Peña’s escape, as Ortiz realized the end was near.

The Trial and Life Sentence of Juan David Ortiz

Juan David Ortiz faced four counts of murder, along with charges of unlawful restraint, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and evading arrest. The case was moved to San Antonio due to high-profile media coverage in Laredo. During the trial in late 2022, prosecutors presented Ortiz’s full confession and forensic evidence linking him to the scenes. The defense did not deny the killings but tried to argue mental instability.

Jurors convicted Ortiz on all counts. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The verdict brought relief to victims’ families and the Laredo community, who had been shaken by the betrayal of trust from a federal officer.

Family members of the victims, including Claudine Luera’s daughter Ciara, have continued to speak out, hoping their advocacy will prevent similar tragedies. Munguia now works for the Webb County Sheriff’s Office, honoring her mother’s memory through service to her community.

Legacy of the Case and Impact on the Community

The murders committed by Juan David Ortiz left deep scars across Laredo. They highlighted the dangers facing vulnerable populations and the devastating consequences of unaddressed mental illness, power abuse, and institutional failure. For many, the most disturbing element was that a man tasked with protecting the community used his badge as a shield for horrific crimes.

Dateline’s “The Streets of Laredo” offers a comprehensive examination of the case, honoring the victims while exposing the flaws that allowed the killings to continue. It serves as a reminder of the strength of survivors like Erika Peña and the families who fight for justice in the aftermath of unspeakable loss.

Through this powerful episode, viewers will not only understand the depths of Ortiz’s betrayal but also the unwavering resolve of those who brought him to justice.