Latest news with #familyTragedy
Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Ron Acosta, founder of Tex-Mex chain Las Palapas, brutally murdered by nephew in San Antonio home
The founder of beloved Tex-Mex chain Las Palapas was viciously stabbed to death by his troubled nephew inside his San Antonio home, police say. Edward 'Ron' Acosta, 78, was slaughtered on Tuesday morning after an argument with his nephew, David Ruiz, 39. The high-profile restaurateur was found bloodied in the garage of his gated-community home by his housekeeper, who frantically dialed 911 upon making the gory discovery. When interviewed by investigators, the housekeeper recalled the victim's chilling screams as he pleaded for his life - 'No, David! No, David!' Ruiz fled the scene, but was captured by police a few hours later in Kimble County, northwest of San Antonio and charged with murder. The alleged killer was displaying alarming behavior in the days leading up to the shocking murder, his father revealed to the San Antonio Express-News. James Ruiz, 78, of Whittier, California, claimed his son's mental health had been spiraling out of control. He was worried Ruiz, also of Whittier, was going to hurt himself. 'I thought I was going to lose him to suicide,' James sorrowfully confessed to the outlet. 'I never thought he'd hurt someone else - especially not Ronnie. He just completely snapped.' James also said he had a deadbolt installed on his bedroom door to protect himself from his erratic son. 'I decided, for my own safety, I'd lock myself in my bedroom,' he told the outlet, adding he believed his son was smoking meth, adding to his rapidly declining mental state. Ruiz took off on Sunday, claiming to be going to visit Acosta's son Aaron and his brother Steven, who resides with Aaron. He had not slept for four days straight, and James said he was hallucinating and becoming terrifyingly paranoid - believing people were trying to hurt him. Ruiz had also told his girlfriend that James died, prompting her to start to worry about his well-being. On his way to San Antonio, he allegedly asked Aaron to buy him a gun - a request the concerned cousin refused. While Ruiz was still on the run, police contacted James and told him to notify them if he returns to their California home. He then texted his son, urging him to turn himself into the police for murdering Acosta. When confronted with the accusation, Ruiz told his father: 'Oh, you're crazy.' Before this alarming episode, Ruiz had never been violent. James described him as a loving father of three who worked at a foster care facility for troubled children. He is now grappling with the fact that Ruiz allegedly went after his uncle, who he previously 'had no contact with.' Acosta moved from Los Angeles to San Antonio more than 40 years ago, founding his Texas-based restaurant empire in 1981, the San Antonio Express-News reported. There are more than 20c locations throughout the San Antonio area. In a heartfelt tribute to the devoted businessman, the franchise wrote on Facebook: 'Ron was a man of deep faith, a generous spirit, and a true community leader. 'His warmth, vision, and work ethic left an undeniable mark on San Antonio. Many knew him as the founder of Las Palapas, but those closest to him knew him as a kind, God-fearing man who believed in serving others, whether through food, friendship, or faith. 'Ron's impact reached far beyond the restaurants he helped build. He brought people together, created jobs and opportunities, and shared his love of culture and community in everything he did. He will be missed more than words can express.'
The Sun
01-07-2025
- The Sun
Football chairman Chris Wright held tragic wife Debra in his arms as she lay dying after jet ski crash in Costa del Sol
A BRIT woman killed in a jet ski and speedboat crash on a Costa del Sol beach spent her last moments in her husband's arms, he has revealed. Debra Wright, 47, was a mum of four and 'the glue' of the family, said her heartbroken husband Chris, chairman of Ashton Town FC. 4 4 Primary school teaching assistant Debra tragically died on Saturday evening when a speedboat crashed into the jet ski that she was riding with Chris at Los Toros beach in Manilva - just west of Estepona. Police said the speedboat was driven by a friend of the couple's, who failed a breath test after the horror crash. Chris, 52, has told how he swam to his wife after the crash to 'hold her in my arms until she passed away'. He said: 'My darling wife was a 47-year-old mother of four wonderful sons, Stuart, Jack, Josh and Leon and a nanny to seven beautiful grandchildren. 'She was an incredible sister and doting daughter. 'She was our compass, the glue to bind the family, an amazing woman whose glow would fill any room. 'She was so enigmatic, inspirational and loving. Our family will never be the same.' Debra's son Stuart McDonald shared a moving tribute on social media, writing: 'MUM… I never knew how much I needed someone until now, I'm so sorry that I didn't tell you just how much I loved you every single day. You meant the world to me." He added: 'You know I was never one for a Facebook post, but this is just for you. 'Sleep tight Mum, I miss you so much. Life will never be the same without you.' Brit tourists face holiday chaos with strikes confirmed for 180,000 hospitality staff throughout July on hotspot islands Son Leon Wright wrote in a tribute of his own: 'Words can't describe how much I'm missing you right now. "You were the life and soul of every party, I am so happy to be called your son and I couldn't have asked for anyone better to be my mum." Police said on Monday that the speedboat driver had been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and an alcohol-related offence after failing a breath test. Local outlets, including Diario Sur, say the reading the breath test gave was not a high one. He was reportedly released on bail after a behind-closed-doors court hearing on Sunday, with the investigation still ongoing. He has not been named or formally charged with any offence at this stage. Ashton Town FC, which plays in the North West Counties League Division One North, wrote on Monday: 'It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that on behalf of Ashton Town FC we announce the tragic death of Debra Wright, the wife of Chris our Chairman who was tragically killed whilst on holiday in Spain on Saturday evening. 'Our family are in mourning at this sad time and we ask for time for Chris and his family and everyone at the club to be able to start to come to terms with this tragedy. 'RIP Debra, fly high sweetheart x.' 'To our Debra Wright rip with the angels. The world has lost such a beautiful soul and I will miss your gorgeous smile. Taken far too soon.'
BBC News
26-06-2025
- BBC News
Keeping alive the memory of Tunisia resort attack victims
On 26 June 2015, Suzy Richards lost three generations of her family in the Tunisia resort attacks, including a son. Another son, Owen, survived. He was 16. On the tenth anniversary of the shooting in Port El Kantaoui near Sousse, Ms Richards - who also lost her father and a brother - has been recalling the moments when, in the UK, she began to realise something was amid the pain, and the fact "every anniversary's difficult", there were now brighter observations to share. Ms Richards said she sometimes felt as if the characteristics of her lost relatives had since "morphed" into Owen, adding: "Owen's all of them now." There is also a charity keeping their memories alive. Charles Patrick Evans, 78; Adrian Evans, 49; and Joel Richards, 19, were among 38 people killed by a gunman at a beach resort. The trio were on holiday to celebrate the end of Owen Richards' GCSE inquest heard Owen had tried to shield his grandfather from the attack, with a coroner praising his Richards, from Walsall, was at work when it happened. "I received a phone call from Owen and that's the first I heard about it," she said."That phone call was, you know... I couldn't comprehend what Owen was saying to me. It was such a shock, it was disbelief."Then I started getting text messages off family and friends asking me what hotel the boys were at and that's when it started to sink in that something had happened."Then I had a Sky News bulletin on my phone and I recognised the hotel." Mr Richards, now 26, told the BBC that one of the things he recalled of the events 10 years ago was that "nobody really" was looking after him before being reunited with his mother."I ended up in a hospital during the night," he said, "and it was a very chaotic, crazy night, with doctors bringing TV camera crews, trying to bring them into the hospital."Ms Richards remembered similar in the UK, saying: "The whole situation was a shock. We just didn't know how to manage it, how to manage the newspapers knocking on our door."She is now supporting those similarly bereaved, helping them to handle the Richards is an MBE, recognised for her services to people bereaved by homicide, including terrorism. The support comes from the Smile for Joel charity, named in memory of her son who was a physical education and sports coaching science student at the University of FC has announced the cause will be the club's official charity partner for the 2025/26 season."We used to say that Walsall matches were like little Jolly Boys' Outings," Owen Richards said, explaining how the late Saddlers fans enjoyed the sitcom Only Fools and Horses which featured an episode of the same name. "It's such a horrible and traumatic event which happened," Mr Richards said. "But [with the charity] we wanted to do something positive, because we know Joel, we know Ade, we know my grandad."They were such amazing people that we don't want their story to be something that's just a horrible tragedy."He said he was "very lucky" to have the three as his role models, and that they had "made me who I am today and mum as well". Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Yahoo
Bryant police investigating after three found dead Sunday morning
BRYANT, Ark. – Officials with the Bryant Police Department are investigating after three people were found dead in a home Sunday morning. According to a post on , officers with the Bryant PD were called around 7:30 a.m. to a home on Lena Drive. Police said a man advised that he came home from work and found his wife and in-laws dead from gunshot wounds. Officials also said that three uninjured children were also found in the home at the time. Officials said that officers from the Bryant PD and deputies from the Saline County Sheriff's Office identified 34-year-old Jarrod Mitchell as a person of interest. Mitchell was transported to the Saline County Detention Center and faces three counts of first degree murder. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
News.com.au
18-06-2025
- News.com.au
Fundraiser launched for family of Bali shooting victim Zivan Radmanovic
The wife of Bali shooting victim Zivan Radmanovic is still in Indonesia, a close friend has revealed in a desperate public plea for support. Mr Radmanovic, 32, was shot and killed at a villa at the Badung Regency north of Kuta on Saturday. His wife Jazmyn Gourdeas was in the villa but not physically injured. A second man Sanar Ghanim, 34, was also shot during the attack. An image shows Mr Ghanim being tended to by paramedics with his feet and face covered in blood. Now, a fundraiser has been launched for Ms Gourdeas, with close family friend Jamie Lee revealing new details about the aftermath of the tragedy. 'This sudden and devastating loss has left Jazmyn a single mother to six beautiful children, aged from just 9 months to 13 years,' the fundraiser states. 'While only married for just under a year, the couple were deeply in love and shared a family together. 'Now Jazmyn faces the unimaginable challenge of caring for their large family alone, including three children diagnosed with epilepsy who require ongoing medication, therapies and frequent medical appointments.' Ms Lee said Ms Gourdeas remained in Indonesia as the investigation into the killing progresses, and her family were taking care of the children in Australia. The financial burden facing Ms Gourdeas would now be 'overwhelming', she added. 'Zivan was a kind, hardworking man devoted to his family,' she said. 'His loss leaves a huge hole in their lives, but together, we can help Jazmyn and her children find a way forward. 'Your donation – no matter the size – will help provide stability, care and comfort to a grieving family facing an uncertain future.' As of Wednesday morning, $13,800 had been raised from a $20,000 target. Indonesian police have arrested two people over the shooting of Mr Radmanovic and Mr Ghanim. Media organisation Nusa Bali reported that one of the alleged offenders was arrested in Jakarta, while another person was captured abroad and was being taken to the Indonesian capital. Indonesian National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo held a press conference in Bali on Tuesday at the Jembrana Police Headquarters. 'Regarding the shooting involving Australian citizens, I have received a report from the Bali Police Chief. One suspect has been secured in Jakarta, and another is on the way from overseas,' the police chief told media. 'A more detailed statement will be released by Bali Police. 'What I can say for now is that this case was solved through co-operation between our Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim), Immigration, and the Australian Federal Police (AFP).'. General Sigit did not release any information about identity of the alleged shooters but told media that Bali Regional Police would provide more detailed information. It was reported there were two alleged offenders who might be Australian and the gunmen used firearms during the attack. It was not clear what the motive was behind the attack. Bali Regional Police Chief Daniel Adityajaya said his department would provide an update later. 'Once the evidence and documentation are complete, Bali Police will issue an official statement to the public and media,' he said.
