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A mother revels in vengeance as convicted teen murderer awaits execution
Bridget Townsend was 18 when her life was brutally ended in Bandera, Texas. Ramiro Gonzales is charged with Townsend's rape and murder.
Published June 25, 2024 at 4:06pm by Amaris Encinas
Texas man to be executed for 1997 murder on what would have been victim’s 41st birthday
“She was a beautiful person who loved life and loved people... She didn’t deserve what she got.”
— Patricia Townsend, Bridget's mother
WHO WAS BRIDGET TOWNSEND?
Bridget Townsend, 18, was working full-time and hoped to become a nurse. On Jan. 14, 2001, she was kidnapped, raped and murdered by Ramiro Gonzales, who would later be convicted of her murder. Bridget's mother, Patricia Townsend, remembers her daughter as a loving and joyful person. The last time Townsend saw Bridget was the day she was killed. Townsend now finds comfort in the fact that Gonzales' execution date is on what would have been Bridget's 41st birthday.
THE NIGHT OF THE MURDER
The night of the murder, Bridget was at her boyfriend Joe Leal's house. Leal was a drug dealer, and Gonzales went to his house to steal cocaine. He found Bridget alone, tied her up, and drove her to his grandfather's ranch, where he raped and shot her. Gonzales was later convicted and sentenced to death for the crime.
A MOTHER'S WORST NIGHTMARE
For nearly two years, Townsend searched for her daughter, distributing flyers and chasing leads. Then, one night, the Bandera County sheriff asked her to come to the station, where she learned that Gonzales had confessed to Bridget's murder and led authorities to her remains. Despite Gonzales' arguments that his traumatic childhood contributed to his actions, Townsend believes he deserves no mercy. She feels no sympathy for him and takes no comfort in his upcoming execution, stating, "It's his own fault that he no longer has a life."
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Read more: Mom of Texas teen murdered in 2001 says killer's execution will be 'joyful occasion'