ABC 20/20 “The One That Got Out” November 17 2023 Recap & Preview

A gripping episode of ABC’s “20/20” delves into a spine-chilling case that unfolded in Laredo, Texas, where Melissa Ramirez and Claudine Luera were discovered murdered and abandoned on the city’s outskirts. Authorities were quick to recognize the eerie similarities between the crime scenes, leading them to a nightmarish conclusion: a serial killer was haunting the city’s red-light district.

As the investigation deepened, the shocking truth emerged – one of their own, border patrol supervisor Juan David Ortiz, was actively assisting in the hunt for the very serial killer he was pretending to help catch. ABC News correspondent John Quiñones takes viewers through the compelling narrative of the case, offering exclusive insights into the investigation.

The two-hour special unfolds with key witness testimony, police body camera footage, and an in-depth exploration of Ortiz’s nearly nine-hour interrogation, which eventually led to his astonishing confession.

Viewers can anticipate exclusive interviews with critical figures in this case, including Texas Ranger EJ Salinas, who played a pivotal role in cracking it open. Additionally, hear from Elva Enriquez, the mother of one of the victims, and Erika Quiroz, Melissa’s best friend, shedding light on the devastating impact of these crimes on the victims’ families and friends.

The episode goes further by featuring interviews with family members of the victims and insights from District Attorney Isidro Alaniz and Capt. Federico Calderon of the Webb County Sheriff’s Department, who provided invaluable perspectives on the investigation and Ortiz’s trial.

Don’t miss this riveting episode of “20/20,” airing on Friday, November 17 2023, from 9:01 to 11:00 p.m. EST on ABC.

What Happened to Melissa Ramirez, Claudine Anne Luera, Guiselda Alicia Cantu, Janelle Ortiz & Killer Juan David Ortiz?

Juan David Ortiz, a former Border Patrol agent, was convicted of capital murder for the killings of four women in South Texas in 2018. Ortiz had confessed to these crimes during a trial that took place last week. The victims, Melissa Ramirez, Claudine Anne Luera, Guiselda Alicia Cantu, and Janelle Ortiz, were found murdered between September 3 and September 15, 2018, along roads outside Laredo, Texas.

Ortiz, who was an intel supervisor at the Border Patrol at the time of his arrest, confessed to being a customer of most of the victims but expressed disdain for sex workers, describing them as “trash” and “so dirty.” He claimed that he wanted to “clean up the streets” and that “the monster would come out” as he drove along streets frequented by these women.

Defense attorneys argued that Ortiz’s confession was improperly induced and should not be considered. They claimed that he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, nightmares, headaches, and was under medication and alcohol’s influence when he confessed.

Ortiz, a Navy veteran, received an automatic sentence of life in prison without parole because prosecutors did not seek the death penalty. The case included testimony from a witness who escaped from Ortiz’s truck after he pointed a gun at her. Ortiz was arrested in a hotel parking garage on September 15, 2018, after authorities tracked him down.

Medical examiner Corinne Stern testified that Ramirez, Luera, and Janelle Ortiz were fatally shot, while Cantu died of blunt force trauma to the head. Ballistics evidence showed that the bullets collected from the crime scenes matched the weapon found in Ortiz’s pickup.

The case shocked the community and raised concerns about the safety of sex workers in the area. Ortiz served in the U.S. Navy for nearly eight years and held various medical posts during his service.