A Texas man will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Rene Mendez received an automatic life sentence for the brutal murders of his girlfriend and her daughter. The sentencing came down following a five-day trial in Laredo.
Mendez, 39, killed Sylvia Ramos, 37, and her daughter, Brianna Ramos, 19, in March 2023.
Laredo police arrived at a horrifying scene on the morning of March 6. A distraught man flagged down officers. “Hurry,” he screamed. “My sister was killed.”
Inside the residence, officers found the bodies of the mother and daughter.
Mendez, Sylvia Ramos’ boyfriend, had first strangled the teen, Brianna. He then stabbed Sylvia Ramos a shocking 55 times during a fight.
Assistant District Attorney Kassandra de Hoyos described the crime scene simply as “horrific.” She also noted the deep, lasting pain inflicted on the victims’ family.
Mendez reportedly showed no remorse after the slayings. He left the scene immediately. In a callous move, he went to a party.
Later that evening, police found and arrested him at a motel. He had overdosed on drugs. The killer later claimed in his defense that he “didn’t mean to do it.”
Jurors were unconvinced. They found Mendez guilty of capital murder of multiple persons on October 24. The judge imposed the mandatory sentence: life in prison without parole. Mendez will serve his time in a state penitentiary.