A Texas man who admitted kidnapping, sexually assaulting and fatally shooting an 18-year-old woman more than two decades ago was executed on Wednesday evening.
Ramiro Gonzales, 41, was pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m. following a lethal injection at the state penitentiary in Huntsville for the January 2001 killing of Bridget Townsend.
Gonzales repeatedly apologized to Townsend’s relatives in his last statement.
“To the Townsend family, I’m sorry,” he said, according to a transcript provided to Newsweek by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. “I can’t put into words the pain I have caused y’all, the hurt, what I took away that I cannot give back. I hope this apology is enough. I lived the rest of this life for you guys to the best of my ability for restitution, restoration taking responsibility.”
Ramiro Gonzales was pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m. on Wednesday following a lethal injection at the state penitentiary in Huntsville for the 2001 killing of Bridget Townsend.
Texas Department of Criminal Justice/AP
He added: “I never stopped praying for all of you. I never stopped praying that you would forgive me and that one day, I would have this opportunity to apologize. I owe all of you my life and I hope one day you will forgive me.
“I’m sorry. Patricia, I’m sorry. David, I’m sorry. To all your family, I’m sorry. I just want you to know I love you guys and I lived the best that I could to give it all back.”
Gonzalez also thanked his friends, family and prison officials.
“To my family, my friends, thank you for all the support,” he said. “Every decision I made, everything I said in this penal system was based on how it will reflect on you guys. And Bridget, I lived my life for you guys. I love all y’all.
“To the administration, Warden Dickerson, Hazelwood thank you for being so courageous for making decisions to make this penal system better. You guys are also my goal. It’s why I’ve been better. Giving me the responsibility and the opportunity to become responsible to learn accountability and to make good. Continue to fight the fight especially in your faith. God Bless you all.”
After the lethal dose of the sedative pentobarbital began flowing, Gonzales took seven breaths, then began sounds like snores, The Associated Press reported. All movement had stopped within a minute.
Gonzales kidnapped Townsend from a rural home in Bandera County. He took her to his family’s ranch in neighboring Medina County, where he sexually assaulted her before killing her.
Her remains were not found until October 2002, when Gonzales led authorities to the spot where he had left her body after he had received two life sentences for kidnapping and raping another woman.
He was put to death on what would have been Townsend’s 41st birthday.
“We have finally witnessed justice be being served,” her brother, David, told the AP after watching the execution. “This day marks the end of a long and painful journey for our family. For over two decades we have endured unimaginable pain and heartache.”
He said Gonzales’ death “provides us a little bit of peace. I do want to say we are not joyous. We are not happy. This is a very, very sad day for everyone all the way around.”
Gonzales was the second inmate put to death in Texas this year, after Ivan Cantu was executed in February.
Update 6/27/24, 3:05 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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