Investigators say husband bludgeoned wife in front of children

RINGWOOD, Okla. (KFOR) — Authorities say a mother was killed by her husband in front of her small children, because he was afraid he'd be deported back to Mexico after she filed a protective order against him because of the abuse.

Court documents show there was an arrest warrant for Jose Navarro-Ramos after his wife, 36-year-old Beatriz Reyna filed an emergency protective order against him for domestic assault, telling police she feared for her life and that her estranged husband had threatened her with a knife in the past.

Residents in Ringwood are still absorbing the terrible news of Reyna's death.

"There's really no words," said Vanessa Pena, who lives in town. "We would see her at parties with her kids and she's always nice lady and a good mom for sure."

On the morning Reyna was killed, investigators believe her estranged husband hid in the trees outside her home waiting for her to return from school drop off.

She still had her youngest three children with her, ranging in age from 4 months to 4-years-old.

As the family was walking inside, investigators said Navarro-Ramos used an eight-pound splitting maul, which can be used like an axe, to hit his wife in the face as their children watched.

He then drove the children to a family member's house before driving to the town restaurant, where he allegedly confessed to an Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper.

"It's not something that you would want to happen at your family restaurant," said Pena.

Navarro-Ramos told investigators he was jealous of men who looked at Reyna.

There was a warrant for his arrest for domestic assault, but he was never picked up and taken to jail.

"We attempted to serve or collect on that warrant several times and were unsuccessful in locating him," said Major County Sheriff, Anthony Robinson.

A mother gone, a father now locked up, and eight children left behind in a town feeling the sting of violence.

"So just keep and pray for us, for ourselves and for her children's."

Navarro-Ramos is being held without bond.

The District Attorney says he's been in Major County illegally and is worried he would flee to Mexico if he was able to bond out.

Jose De Jesus Navarro has been charged in Major County District Court with First-Degree Murder and Child Abuse. Navarro is accused of killing Beatriz Reyna by striking her with a splitting maul and committing child abuse in front of minors under his care. These charges reflect the seriousness of the alleged crimes, and Navarro is being held without bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for January 9, 2025. Our office is committed to ensuring the integrity of the process while seeking justice for the victim and her family.

Chris Boring, District Attorney, District 26