On July 2, 2015, 18-year-old Maria Guadalupe Cruz-Calvillo and her 3-year-old son, Luis Fernando Lopez Cruz, were found dead inside a burning car in a remote ravine near Connell, Washington. Volunteer firefighters responding to a vehicle fire discovered the bodies and investigators later determined both victims had suffered gunshot wounds; the Franklin County Coroner indicated Luis was likely still alive when the fire was set.

The investigation focused on Maria’s 25-year-old boyfriend, Prudencio Juan Fragos-Ramirez. The couple had known each other for about four months and had been dating only a few weeks. Family members said Maria had not wanted a serious relationship and suspected jealousy as a motive. Evidence placed Maria making a car payment in Pasco that afternoon and showing up with her son at Fragos-Ramirez’s home shortly before smoke was seen in the ravine. Fragos-Ramirez was arrested within hours.

He gave conflicting statements to police; a search turned up ammunition boxes for a 9mm handgun and a 9mm was later recovered in an orchard where he had worked. In October 2016 a jury convicted Fragos-Ramirez of two counts of aggravated first-degree murder and he was sentenced to two consecutive life terms without parole. Does anyone have information about Maria, Luis, or their movements that afternoon?