Death row prisoner's haunting last words were to victim's family before his execution
Warning: This article contains discussion of rape which some readers may find distressing.
More than two decades on from raping and murdering an 18-year-old girl, a death row prisoner has finally been executed.
In 2001, Ramiro Gonzales murdered Bridget Townsend, of Bandera - a small town in Texas, after bumping into her at her boyfriend's home which he visited with the intention of robbing.
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While cash did go missing, so too did Bridget - who vanished for two years before cops understood what had happened to her, and where she was disposed of.
It came out as Gonzales was handed to two life sentences after he was convicted of raping and kidnapping an estate agent, also from Bandera, when he asked to speak to the Sheriff.
He explained that he had raped Bridget before taking her to a ranch in neighboring Medina County where he drove to a remote hillside and dumped her body.
When raiding Bridget's boyfriend's home in search of drugs, Gonzales was unable to find any, instead he reportedly made off with cash and Bridget - who he caught attempting to use the phone.
He then tied her up and threw her in the back of his truck, stopping at his granddad's on the way to collect a rifle.
Gonzales would then drive to the ranch, rape and shoot her.
He was later found guilty and charged with capital murder and given the death penalty, and placed on death row.
But it was yesterday (27 June) during Gonzales apologetic final words to Bridget's family, on what would of been her 41st birthday, that will have sent chills down their spine - 'warden I'm ready'.
Addressing Bridget's mom, dad and family, he said: "Patricia, I’m sorry. David, I’m sorry. To all your family I’m sorry. I just want you to know I love you guys and I lived the best that I could to give it all back.
"To my family, my friends, thank you for all the support every decision I made everything I said in this penal system was based on how it will reflect on you guys. And Bridget, I lived my life for you guys.
"I love all ya’ll. To the administration, waders Dickerson, Hazelwood, thank you for being so courageous for making decisions to make this penal system better. You guys are also my goal. It’s why I’ve been better.
"Giving me the responsibility and the opportunity to become responsible to learn accountability and to make good."
In his final breath, he said: "Continue to fight the fight especially in your faith. God Bless you all. Warden I’m ready."
Gonzales was executed via a lethal injection at the seventh time of asking, after his execution was delayed six times previously.
If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7. Or you can chat online via online.rainn.org
Joe Yates