2020 murder suspect pleads guilty to lesser charge in wife’s death

ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- An Ector County man accused of murder after locking his wife inside of an RV that later caught fire in 2020, leading to her death, pleaded guilty to negligent homicide earlier this month. As part of that plea deal, 53-year-old Rito Castro Suniga was sentenced to two years in jail.

According to an Ector County Sheriff’s Office report, on December 13, 2020, deputies were called to the 6700 block of N Huber in reference to a residential fire involving a death. At the scene, investigators found 52-year-old Terri Annette Suniga dead inside the RV where she lived with Rito, her husband of more than 20 years.

Investigators said the front of the RV was heavily damaged and evidence at the scene, including a padlocked door, indicated that Terri had been locked inside the RV when the fire broke out. Deputies also said that Rito arrived at the scene amid the investigation and stated that Terri had “possibly” been locked inside the home; investigators said that when they searched Rito, they found him in possession of Terri’s phone as well as the key to the padlock.

ECSO said that Rito changed his story numerous times as the investigation continued and also failed a polygraph test about his possible involvement in the fire and subsequent death. Court records show that Rito was initially arrested in 2020 and was later indicted on a manslaughter charge in June of 2021; that case was later dismissed when Rito was indicted on two counts of murder in May of 2024.

On June 12, Rito appeared in court to prepare for a jury trial, but accepted a plea deal on a lesser charge of negligent homicide and jurors were sent home.

An obituary for Terri showed that she is survived by her six children and 20 grandchildren.

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