Bianca Garza had recently finished nursing school and leaves two daughters after an apparent murder-suicide that followed a police chase.
BURLESON, Texas — Bianca Garza had recently graduated from nursing school and was preparing for a new chapter with her two daughters when police say her estranged husband abducted her from a Burleson apartment complex, setting off a pursuit that ended with both spouses dead.
Garza, 34, was killed Thursday after authorities said her estranged husband, 34-year-old Axel Ramirez, forced her into a vehicle at gunpoint and drove away. Police pursued the vehicle for about 34 minutes before it stopped near Bourland Field Airport in Cresson. Officers found both Garza and Ramirez dead from apparent gunshot wounds, and investigators said preliminary evidence pointed to a murder-suicide.
The confrontation began about 7:45 a.m. Oct. 29 in the 700 block of West Hidden Creek Parkway. Burleson Police Chief Billy Cordell said Garza had just returned after dropping off the couple’s 9-year-old child at school. Police said Garza and Ramirez, who were separated, had apparently expected to have what authorities described as a civil conversation. Witnesses instead reported seeing an armed man force Garza into the vehicle.
Garza’s boyfriend, Ezekiel Cain, later told local news organizations that Garza had recently left her marriage and was building a new life. Cain said she had completed nursing school and was expected to begin a nursing residency in February. He described her as a devoted mother who had worked toward a career that would allow her to provide for her family.
Cain also alleged that Garza had experienced emotional and physical abuse during her marriage and said Ramirez had threatened him after learning about their relationship. Those claims came from Cain and have not been independently established as findings by investigators. Burleson and Mansfield police said they had not found records of previous domestic violence calls involving Garza and Ramirez.
Police said Garza called 911 while she was inside the vehicle during the pursuit. Officers followed as Ramirez drove south from Burleson toward Cresson, authorities said. Spike strips deployed along U.S. Highway 377 damaged two tires, but the vehicle continued. The pursuit covered about 25 miles and reached speeds above 100 mph at times before ending on private property near the airport.
Officers found Garza and Ramirez dead inside after reaching the stopped vehicle. Police said no officers fired their weapons. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the identities of both people in subsequent reporting. Authorities have not announced a motive, and investigators continue to examine the events that led to the reported kidnapping and deaths.
Garza leaves two daughters, ages 9 and 14. Police said neither child was physically harmed during the incident and relatives are caring for them. Cain told CBS News Texas that Garza was also close to his daughter and remained focused on her family while pursuing her nursing career.
The deaths came during October, recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Cordell said investigators were mindful of that timing and noted that domestic violence is often underreported. Police have not said they had prior knowledge of violence between the couple, and the lack of earlier police reports does not determine whether abuse occurred outside the attention of law enforcement.
Burleson police are continuing to investigate the kidnapping report, pursuit and deaths with assistance from other North Texas agencies. The case leaves investigators working to answer what led to Thursday morning’s confrontation while Garza’s children and relatives face the loss of both parents.
Author note: Last updated October 31, 2026.