The Case of Ramon Sosa
For this case, I watched an episode of American Monster. It’s season 8 episode 3, titled ‘Dance With Me.’
A father of three learns that someone close to him wants him dead.
Background
Ramon Sosa was born on June 1, 1967 in Puerto Rico. He moved to the U.S. with his family when he was around 9 or 10, so that his family could have a better life.
Ramon met a woman named Delores in 1989. They eventually had three children together, and moved to Houston, Texas. Their marriage ended in 2000, when Delores left, and took the kids with her.
Ramon had become involved in boxing when he was young, after watching his father. He eventually went on to coach boxing, and owning his own gym (more on that soon).
Ramon Sosa
A New Relationship
In 2004, Ramon started a non-profit called the Young Prospects Boxing. Ramon coached, and wanted to help kids from difficult backgrounds.
In 2007, Ramon was told by a friend to go out to a place that was known for dancing. Ramon was from Puerto Rico, so his love for dancing was in his blood.
At the bar, Ramon met a woman named Maria de Lourdes Dorantes, who went by Lulu. Lulu had stepped on his foot, but Ramon thought she was beautiful, so he asked her to dance. Ramon and Lulu also talked for a long time that night. He learned that she and her kids were in the U.S. on a visitor’s Visa.
Ramon described their relationship as a whirlwind romance. They got married on March 15, 2009. Ramon’s kids learned that he had gotten married from their mom. They were surprised because they hadn’t been together that long.
Ramon and Lulu
Ramon’s Dream
A week after they got married, Ramon wanted to plan their honeymoon. However, Lulu said she wanted to save their money, so that she and the kids could become citizens. Ramon agreed.
They then started talking about starting a gym together. They eventually opened up the Woodlands Boxing and Fitness. They made commercials, promos, and had merchandize. The gym did really well, and they had a lot of members. They were able to buy fancy cars, clothes, jewelry, and that even purchased a new house.
By 2014, Ramon and Lulu’s marriage was on the rocks. Ramon said they were living on opposite floors of their two story home. Lulu served Ramon divorce papers.
The Plan
In June 2015, Ramon learned from a man named Mundo that Lulu wanted to kill him.
Ramon had met Mundo in 2000, through his non-profit. Mundo had served time in prison after he joined a gang. Mundo was introduced to boxing, and it changed his life. Ramon and Mundo were very close, and Mundo would often open up the Woodlands gym if Ramon needed time off.
Mundo contacted Ramon, and told him that he had overheard Lulu talking about wanting him dead. Lulu had also mentioned that she knew people in Mexico that were known to cut up bodies. Mundo had an idea to see if he could get Lulu on a recording talking about it.
Mundo recorded Lulu on his phone. He played along to get her to talk, and said that they should make it look like an accident. Lulu agreed, and said that she would pretend to cry after it happened. Lulu said she would keep the home and the business after Ramon was gone.
On July 5, 2015, Ramon and Mundo went to the Montgomery County Constable’s Office to report what they had learned. Mundo was asked why Lulu thought he could help her. Mundo said it was because he had been in a gang.
The police began their investigation, and planned to introduce an undercover officer as a hitman.
The Staged Murder
On July 20, 2015, Lulu met with the undercover officer. The conversation was recorded.
The undercover officer asked Lulu if she wanted Ramon beat up or dead. Lulu said she wanted him dead. Lulu explained that they had a court date for their divorce on July 22. Lulu was in a hurry, because she knew that she would get everything if Ramon was dead before they were divorced.
Lulu withdrew $500 from an ATM that night. The police could’ve arrested her that night, but they had another idea. They wanted Lulu to be locked away for a long time.
The next day on July 21, Ramon arrived at the police station to have his makeup done. The police had never worked with this makeup before, so they spent a few hours watching Youtube tutorials. After they were done, they were able to create a realistic bullet hole wound on Ramon.
Ramon couldn’t believe what he was going through. The county owned a field, so they drove out to stage some photographs. They dug a hole, and asked Ramon to undress down to his boxers, and put his hands behind his back. The police wanted to make it look like Ramon had been kidnapped.
Ramon’s cellphone and other forms of communication were taken. Ramon said he was worried for his family because he spoke to his parents everyday, and knew they would be worried.
The Arrest
On July 22, the undercover officer met with Lulu. They wanted to see her reaction to the photos of Ramon.
The officer told Lulu that Ramon had fought, but that the job was done. Lulu then started laughing, and made a “raise the roof” motion.
The officer and Lulu could be heard talking about the rest of the payment. She then left the car.
Ramon’s family became concerned because Ramon wasn't answering phone calls, and hadn’t shown up to work. They had tried to reach out to Lulu.
On July 23, Detective Jason Martinez arrived at the Woodlands gym. He went to speak to Lulu, acting like he was investigating a missing persons report.
Lulu was at the gym with her mom and daughter. Det. Martinez let Lulu talk. She went on and on about the divorce, and said that she hadn’t seen or talked to Ramon since July 15.
Lulu was arrested. Lulu’s mom was stunned, and asked what was happening. That day, Lulu was charged with solicitation of capital murder.
Justice for Ramon
Ramon was able to go home to his family. They had learned of Lulu’s arrest on the news. His family started crying once they saw that Ramon was alive.
Lulu claimed that Ramon was abusive, but he denied this.
On October 11, 2016, Lulu pled guilty to second degree solicitation of murder. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison. She is eligible for parole in 2035.
Ramon said Lulu never made eye contact with him, and has shown no remorse. Ramon, and his kids have said they wonder if Lulu married him because she wanted to become a U.S. citizen.
Other
Ramon wrote a book called I Walked on My Own Grave. According to Amazon, it has received mostly 4 and 5 stars.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This case ended better than some of the cases I have discussed on this blog. If it wasn’t for Mundo, Ramon could very possibly be dead. Ramon seemed like a very loving father, who just happened to have met an evil person. Lulu will probably never show any remorse. Her true colors came out the day she said she wanted Ramon dead, and laughed about seeing his fake murder photos.
This case also reminds me of the Dalia and Mike Dippolito case. Dalia and Lulu are very similar in the way they acted, even though Dalia tried to act sad.
I hope Ramon has moved on with his life. I wish him and his family the very best.
Sources
https://thecinemaholic.com/where-is-ramon-sosa-now/
https://thecinemaholic.com/where-is-lulu-sosa-now/
https://qnewshub.com/entertainment/maria-sosa-now-where-is-ramon-sosas-ex-wife-in-2020/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W5RKJDW/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
