Ruby Garcia was 25 when she was found dead on the shoulder of US-131 in late March. Her body showed multiple gunshot wounds; Michigan State Police treated the death as a homicide and opened an investigation. Family remembers her as full of life and laughter.

Investigators focused on a person of interest identified as 25-year-old Brandon Ortiz-Vite, described as being in a romantic relationship with Garcia. Two days after the body was found, Ortiz-Vite contacted Allegan County 911 from a church to say he wanted to turn himself in. He then confessed to shooting Garcia multiple times during an argument inside her vehicle and leaving her on the freeway. Her car was later recovered north of South Haven with bullet holes and suspected blood inside.

Ortiz-Vite had been deported in 2020 after a drunk driving arrest and was said to have re-entered the United States at an unknown time. Charges reported included felony murder, open murder, carjacking, carrying a concealed weapon and felony firearm. Does anyone have information about Ruby’s last known movements or the relationship dynamics that led to this tragedy?