Manuel Omar Burciaga Perea pleaded guilty to the murder of Gabriela Sifuentes Castilla, known as Gaby Ramos, during a hearing in Utah Third District Court on Thursday, according to a September 13 report. Burciaga Perea, the former partner of the Mexican-born radio host, reached a plea agreement with prosecutors to resolve charges related to the October 2021 killing.
The plea agreement reduced Burciaga Perea's charge from aggravated murder to murder. He had previously been facing charges of aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, and domestic violence in the presence of a child. The defendant now faces a potential sentence ranging from 15 years to life in prison, which will be determined at a later hearing.
According to the report, the incident occurred on Oct. 17, 2021, when Burciaga Perea went to the home of Ramos' sister, Rosy, where a domestic dispute took place. After leaving the scene, the man returned and shot Ramos when she opened her door. The victim sustained between five and seven gunshot wounds, including one to the head. Ramos was 38 years old at the time of her death.
Burciaga Perea was originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, where he was detained by Mexican authorities before being extradited to Utah, where he was being held in prison.
Ramos was a prominent figure in the Salt Lake City Hispanic community, working as a broadcaster for the radio station KMRI La Más Picosita 1550 AM.
