A Michigan murder case with political overtones reached a turning point as an undocumented Mexican national pleaded guilty to killing his girlfriend and abandoning her body along a freeway—raising questions about border security and justice for the victim’s grieving family.
A Mexican national living in the U.S. illegally pleaded guilty Monday to the murder of his girlfriend, bringing a tragic and politically charged case closer to resolution. Brandon Ortiz Vite, 25, admitted to killing Ruby Garcia, whose body was found dumped along a Michigan freeway earlier this year.
Ortiz Vite made his plea in a Grand Rapids courtroom, avoiding trial on multiple charges, including second-degree murder, carjacking, and using a firearm in the commission of a felony. He is set to be sentenced on October 31.
The crime unfolded in March, when Ortiz Vite and Garcia were driving on U.S. 131, embroiled in an argument about their relationship. Investigators say the argument escalated when Ortiz Vite shot Garcia in the head, left her body on the side of the highway, and fled. The case took a dark turn two days later when Ortiz Vite called 911 from a church during Palm Sunday services, confessing to the murder and expressing a desire to surrender.
Garcia’s death ignited political debate in April after former President Donald Trump pointed to Ortiz Vite’s illegal status and deportation history, accusing the Biden administration of failing to secure the border. Ortiz Vite had previously been deported in 2020, but it remains unclear whether he reentered the U.S. during the final year of Trump’s presidency or under the Biden administration.
For Garcia’s family, justice meant not dragging the case through a lengthy trial. According to Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker, they supported Ortiz Vite’s plea, which provided more certainty than a trial could. "Although we had a strong case, things could go wrong," Becker explained. "A mistrial or an overturned decision—anything could happen. A plea ensures accountability."
Ruby Garcia’s family now awaits Ortiz Vite’s sentencing, where they hope to find some closure for the senseless loss of their loved one.
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