In the quiet city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, a deeply disturbing event unfolded on May 19, 2017, shattering the peace of a local family and community. On that day, 86-year-old Josephine Ortega was found murdered in her home, a place that should have been her sanctuary. The initial shock and grief of her passing soon gave way to a grim investigation that would uncover a story of betrayal and greed.
The case, which remained a painful mystery for a time, would eventually be solved, bringing a measure of justice for Josephine.
The investigation into Josephine's tragic death led to an arrest that sent ripples of horror through her family. The primary suspect was revealed to be her own nephew, Craig Smith. The motive behind this heinous act was determined to be robbery. It was discovered that Smith had entered his aunt's home with the intention of stealing a large sum of money to pay off a drug debt. What began as a robbery escalated into a brutal murder, leaving a family to grapple with the devastating reality that one of their own was responsible for the loss of a beloved matriarch.
The details of the crime were chilling. Smith bound his elderly aunt's hands and feet with zip ties, rendering her helpless. He then suffocated her by placing multiple plastic bags over her head and securing them with duct tape. This cruel act was committed for financial gain, a stark and tragic contrast to the love and kindness his aunt had likely shown him throughout his life. Smith's girlfriend at the time, Evonne Jaramillo, was also implicated in the crime, having assisted him.
Ultimately, the wheels of justice turned for Josephine Ortega. Craig Smith was convicted of the murder of his aunt and was sentenced to life in prison plus an additional 45 years. His girlfriend, Evonne Jaramillo, also faced consequences for her role in the crime, reaching a plea deal that involved testifying against Smith. The resolution of the case, while bringing a sense of legal closure, could never erase the profound loss felt by Josephine's family and friends, a permanent scar left by a nephew's unthinkable betrayal.
