Ricardo “N” faces a femicide charge in a Puerto Vallarta femicide case after prosecutors linked him to his sister-in-law’s death when he set her on fire with gasoline.
A man faces a femicide charge after prosecutors linked him to his sister-in-law’s death in what authorities describe as a gruesome gasoline attack. Investigators with the Regional Investigation Vice-Prosecutor’s Office in District VIII tied Ricardo “N” to the case following evidence that he doused a 19-year-old woman with gasoline and set her on fire after an argument in a home in Las Juntas, Ixtapa district. The victim died in a local hospital days later from severe burns that covered much of her body.
According to the state prosecutor’s office, the incident unfolded inside a private residence in the Las Juntas neighborhood of the Puerto Vallarta municipality. Witnesses say an argument broke out between Ricardo “N” and his partner’s sister, who was visiting at the time. Prosecutors say he grabbed a container of gasoline, poured it over her body and ignited it, leaving the young woman trapped in flames before neighbors intervened.
Emergency crews rushed the victim to a nearby hospital, where doctors treated her for third-degree burns over more than half her body. Despite aggressive care, she succumbed to her injuries after several days. Medical staff confirmed her death on [exact date], citing complications from extensive burn trauma.
Municipal police arrived at the scene just as Ricardo “N” tried to flee. Officers arrested him in flagrante delicto and took him into custody without incident. Authorities initially charged him with attempted femicide, reflecting the nature of the attack and the protected status of the victim under state law.
Once the victim died, the State Prosecutor’s Office reclassified the case as femicide, elevating the severity of the crime. Under Jalisco law, a femicide conviction can carry significantly harsher penalties than other homicide charges, reflecting the state’s zero-tolerance stance on gender-based violence.
A Control Judge reviewed the prosecutor’s case files and, after finding probable cause, issued an order linking Ricardo “N” to the process. The judge imposed the precautionary measure of preventive detention to ensure he remains in custody throughout the proceedings. That measure will take effect after he completes a period of medical confinement for his own accidental burns, which investigators say he sustained during the altercation.
Deputy prosecutors continue to gather testimony, forensic reports and witness statements to strengthen their case. In the coming days, they plan to request additional search warrants and may call expert burn specialists to testify on the extent of the injuries and the likelihood that the attack caused the victim’s death.
Local rights groups have condemned the attack and urged authorities to move swiftly. “This case shows how quickly an argument can turn lethal,” said a spokesperson for a regional women’s advocacy organization. “We expect a full and transparent investigation, and we hope this prosecution sends a clear message that violence against women will not go unpunished.”
Ricardo “N” remains under guard at the municipal hospital, where police maintain a 24-hour watch. Once doctors clear him for transfer, officials plan to move him to the state penitentiary to begin preventive detention. His next court hearing will focus on formalizing evidence and setting a trial date.
This case adds to growing concerns about femicide rates in Jalisco. Authorities report an uptick in gender-based killings over the past year, prompting the state government to launch new prevention and education programs. Meanwhile, communities in Puerto Vallarta mourn another young life lost and await justice in a case that has shocked neighbors and highlighted ongoing challenges in curbing violence against women.
Ricardo “N” faces a femicide charge in a Puerto Vallarta femicide case after prosecutors linked him to his sister-in-law’s death when he set her on fire with gasoline.
