Ruth Esmeralda Olvera, a 19-year-old woman from La Feria, Texas, tragically lost her life on April 17, 2021. She was found dead inside a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze parked at 2102 W. Expressway 83 around 8:37 p.m. on April 19, 2021. Ruth was shot in her left torso.
The investigation into Ruth's death led to the arrest of Guadalupe Garcia Ybarra Jr., a 37-year-old man from Mercedes, and Esmeralda Chapa, a 36-year-old woman from Brownsville. Both were charged with murder.
Ybarra, who was Ruth's stepfather and had a history of violence and aggression, was found to have been harassing Ruth through excessive messaging and threatening phone calls. Investigators discovered that Ybarra and Chapa were in communication on the day of Ruth's death, and Ybarra's phone contained searches on how to use and shoot a Taurus 9mm PT92 pistol.
Ybarra eventually pleaded guilty to the murder of Ruth Esmeralda Olvera and was sentenced to 30 years in prison with over 2 years in credit. The Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office filed a motion to dismiss the charges against Chapa due to insufficient evidence, and she was set to reappear before state District Judge Fernando Mancias for a status hearing.
The case highlighted the tragic consequences of domestic violence and the importance of addressing such issues to prevent further loss of life. Ruth's family and friends continue to seek justice and closure for her untimely death.
