On January 6, 2019, law enforcement officials in Callaway County, Missouri, launched a homicide investigation after the discovery of a deceased individual in the 1500 block of Old Highway 40, located near the Boone County line. The victim was identified as Lauro Garza-Perez, a 34-year-old Hispanic male resident of Wright City, Missouri. He had sustained fatal gunshot wounds, leading authorities to classify the death as a murder.
The discovery prompted a multi-agency response involving the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, and the Columbia Police Department.
Investigators quickly identified two primary suspects in connection with the slaying: Ruben Corales Cabrera, who was 33 years old at the time, and Emily Ricketts, then 22. Both suspects were residents of Indianapolis, Indiana, but possessed known ties to the Columbia, Missouri area. Following the initial investigation, the Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney charged both Cabrera and Ricketts with first-degree murder. Cabrera faced an additional charge of armed criminal action. Despite the swift identification of the suspects, they managed to evade immediate capture, initiating a prolonged manhunt that extended beyond state lines.
The search for the accused couple continued for nearly four years as they remained fugitives. Authorities warned the public that the pair should be considered armed and dangerous. During the investigation, details emerged suggesting a possible motive rooted in personal conflict; reports indicated that Ricketts' mother claimed Cabrera had confessed to the killing, alleging that Garza-Perez had threatened his family in Mexico. She also described Cabrera as abusive toward her daughter, expressing fear for Ricketts' safety while she remained on the run with him.
A significant breakthrough in the case occurred on November 8, 2022, when authorities in Mexico located and arrested Emily Ricketts. Her capture marked the first major step toward legal resolution in the years-long case. However, as of the time of her arrest, Ruben Corales Cabrera remained at large, with law enforcement continuing their efforts to locate him. The investigation has remained active, with federal agencies including the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement assisting local Missouri authorities in the ongoing pursuit of the remaining suspect.
