In the early morning hours of March 30, 2017, a violent confrontation at a mobile home in Belton, Missouri, claimed the life of 29-year-old Gabriel Brito-Ramirez. The incident unfolded when a man armed with a gun appeared at the door of the residence on North Scott Avenue and demanded money. A struggle ensued, during which Brito-Ramirez was fatally shot in the neck.
Another man at the home was also shot in the shoulder but survived.
For nearly four years, the case of Gabriel Brito-Ramirez's death remained unsolved, leaving a void in the lives of his loved ones. Belton police detectives and the Metro Squad worked diligently on the case, but a suspect remained elusive. A crucial piece of evidence, a hat dropped by the assailant during the scuffle, was collected at the scene. This hat would eventually provide the breakthrough investigators needed in the form of DNA evidence.
In late 2021, a significant development occurred when DNA analysis pointed to Charles Branson of St. Clair, Missouri, as a likely contributor to the genetic material found on the hat. This new evidence led to a warrant being issued for his arrest. Branson was extradited from a federal detention center in Indiana to face charges in Cass County. He was charged with second-degree murder, attempted robbery, first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a weapon.
The investigation didn't end with Branson's arrest. Further inquiries revealed that he may not have acted alone. In June 2022, Amy Lynn Kestner, a distant relative of Brito-Ramirez through her ex-husband, was also charged in connection with the murder. Witnesses came forward stating that Kestner had admitted to her involvement, including allegedly acting as the getaway driver. Kestner was charged with felony murder.
