Dateline NBC “The Streets of Laredo” September 15 2023 Recap & Preview
Prepare for an intense hour of investigative journalism as Dateline delves into a chilling case that gripped the border city of Laredo, Texas, in the summer of 2018.
Join host Josh Mankiewicz as he unravels the mystery behind a series of deadly shootings targeting women. As the Webb County Sheriff’s Department races to solve these brutal crimes, unexpected twists and an unlikely suspect emerge in “The Streets of Laredo“.
Meanwhile, 20/20 broadcasts an episode on the mysterious disappearance of 17-year-old Alissa Turney in an episode titled “Since You’ve Been Gone“.
In the summer of 2018, Laredo, Texas, becomes the backdrop for a string of horrific shootings that claim the lives of several women. The community is in shock, and the Webb County Sheriff’s Department launches a relentless investigation to bring the perpetrator to justice. Lead investigator Capt. Federico Calderon spearheads the effort, and District Attorney Isidro Alaniz closely monitors the case’s progress.
As the investigation intensifies, law enforcement agencies unite to pool their resources and expertise. Together, they embark on a journey to uncover the truth behind these tragic crimes. In a surprising turn of events, an unexpected suspect emerges, challenging the conventional wisdom surrounding the case.
Dateline presents exclusive interviews with key figures in the investigation, including Capt. Federico Calderon, District Attorney Isidro Alaniz, and family members of the victims. These firsthand accounts provide unique insights into the relentless pursuit of justice in a community shattered by fear and tragedy.
Join Josh Mankiewicz and the Dateline team on Friday, September 15, at 9 p.m./8 p.m. CT for an all-new, one-hour episode, “The Streets of Laredo.” This story of a border city killer will keep you on the edge of your seat as it unravels the shocking twists and turns in this chilling case. Don’t miss this opportunity to delve into the heart of the investigation and witness the unmasking of a relentless predator.
Juan David Ortiz was the Killer in The Streets of Laredo
Juan David Ortiz, a former Border Patrol agent, confessed to the murder of four sex workers in 2018 and was subsequently convicted of capital murder in December. He received a life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole.
Ortiz’s victims, Melissa Ramirez, Claudine Anne Luera, Guiselda Alicia Cantu, and Janelle Ortiz, were found dead along roads in Laredo, Texas, in September 2018. An intensive manhunt led to Ortiz’s arrest after a survivor, Erika Peña, reported that a client had threatened her with a gun and identified Ortiz as the assailant.
Juan David Ortiz, at the time of his arrest, held the position of an intel supervisor in the Border Patrol. He was charged with the murders and subsequently convicted.
During his trial in December 2022, Ortiz confessed to three of the murders and disclosed the location of the fourth victim in a 10-hour-long video recording of his police interview. Erika Peña testified during the trial, describing her escape from Ortiz’s truck and their client-provider relationship. She also claimed that Ortiz had picked up another victim, Melissa Ramirez, shortly before her body was discovered.
Ortiz had served as an Iraq War veteran and had a decade of experience with the Border Patrol. His arrest followed the incident involving Erika Peña, which prevented him from potentially harming a fifth victim. Ortiz expressed disdain for sex workers, referring to them as “trash” and “dirty,” and stated that his motive was to “clean up the streets.”
After a two-week trial, a jury found Ortiz guilty of multiple counts of capital murder, leading to an automatic life sentence without the possibility of parole, as prosecutors chose not to pursue the death penalty.
As of now, Juan David Ortiz is serving his sentence at the W. F. Ramsey Unit, according to the Texas Department of Corrections.
