The Murder of Michelle Lira
For this case, I watched an episode of American Monster. It’s season 7 episode 9, titled ‘It Could Be Me.’
A woman and her mom are shot in their car, just before leaving for work.
Background
Michelle Lira was the oldest child of Larry Lira and Ramona Gomez. She had a younger sister Nicole, who she was like a second mother to.
Michelle was described as very smart, confident, and bubbly. Michelle could make friends everywhere she went, and she dreamed of being a nurse, just like her mom.
Michelle Lira
A New Relationship
Michelle thrived in school. She loved to read, write, and was very good in science and math.
Michelle’s grades got her into one of Houston’s most prestigious schools: the Houston High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. Michelle had more of an interest in the medical field, though.
In 2001, Michelle was 15 at this point, when she met Selestino Torres, who was also 15.
Michelle introduced him to her mom Ramona, one day after school, and asked her if they could give him a ride home. Ramona was impressed, and said that Selestino was well-mannered, and well-dressed.
Michelle and Selestino started off as friends, and soon, their relationship took off. They became inseparable, and he became part of the family.
On Again, Off Again
In 2002, things in Michelle and Selestino’s relationship started to go downhill. Michelle suspected that Selestino was talking to other girls, and it caused tension.
In 2003, Larry, Michelle’s dad, received a call from the school. When he arrived, Michelle was sitting in the principal’s office. The principal said that Michelle had found a note from another girl to Selestino. The fight caused Michelle and Selestino to hit one another, and that they had to be pulled apart.
The couple separated for awhile. However, it didn’t last long. Michelle and Selestino sat down with Ramona, and he apologized. Ramona said she forgave him for the sake of her daughter’s happiness.
By 2004, Michelle graduated, started working at the health clinic with her mom, and was taking her prerequisites to earn her nursing degree at the local community college.
In 2007, Selestino got a job working on an oil field. He would travel 9 hours every weekend to work, and to see Michelle. Michelle was afraid that something would happen to him on his commutes, so she purchased a .45 caliber gun for him.
By 2009, Michelle was over the relationship. She had received multiple messages on social media about Selestino’s cheating ways. She was devastated of course, but she knew things wouldn’t change.
The 911 Call
On July 6, 2009, a 911 call came in around 7am. The caller was Benny Gomez, Michelle’s step-dad.
Benny said that his wife Ramona, and step-daughter had been shot in their car. He said that Michelle was unconscious, and that there was blood everywhere.
When the police arrived, they found Ramona’s white Hummer. Two female victims had been shot around 14-15 times. Ramona sustained several gun shot wounds to her upper torso, back of the head, shoulder and neck. She was rushed to the hospital, and luckily survived.
Michelle was pronounced dead at the scene. Her family was devastated, but the police found out from Ramona that the shooter was Selestino Torres.
The Accomplice?
A witness that lived on the same street as Ramona and Michelle, said that they had seen a man matching Selestino’s description getting into a gray car after the shooting.
The police were able to question Ramona at the hospital, once she was well enough to talk. They asked her where Selestino could’ve gone. Ramona said that Selestino had a new girlfriend named Terri Wallace.
Terri lived with her mom, and they owned a gray Toyota Camry. The police spoke to Terri’s mom, and she confirmed that Terri was dating Selestino. She gave the police consent to search Terri’s car, and her bedroom.
The day after the murder, the police spoke to Terri. Terri confirmed that Selestino had left around 5:30-6am the previous morning. The police told Terri that a witness had come forward, saying they saw Selestino getting into a gray car. Terri said that Selestino could have borrowed her car without her knowledge. She said she had been at home, and didn't know anything about the murder until a friend called her later that day.
A anonymous source contacted the police 4 days later, and contradicted Terri’s story. He said on the day of the murder, Terri and Selestino had come to his house around 8:45am, asking if they could borrow his car. They had been in Terri’s gray car at the time.
The Arrest and Conviction
On July 11, a tip came into the police about Selestino’s whereabouts. The tipster said that Selestino was at his sister’s home.
The police surveilled the house, until 7:30pm. They approached the home, and asked Selestino’s sister and brother-in-law to leave the home.
Selestino ran inside a bathroom, with what looked like a gun in his hand. It wasn’t a gun, but a curling iron. He was tased, and taken into custody.
Around 10:56pm, Selestino was questioned, but he asked to speak to a lawyer.
The police had enough evidence based on all the eyewitnesses, and Selestino was indicted on charges of murder and attempted murder.
On July 15, Terri Wallace was also charged with murder. The police had searched her phone records, which placed her at the scene of the murder. However, the charges were eventually dropped. There were no eyewitnesses that placed Terri at the scene.
Ramona said that on the day of the murder, she opened the garage door, and immediately saw Selestino. He was on her side of the car, and asked her to speak to Michelle. Ramona said no, and Selestino ran to Michelle’s side. He pulled out his gun, and slid it through the slightly opened window. Ramona said he started firing. Selestino had emptied a magazine, and 5 of those bullets had been removed from Ramona at the hospital.
Selestino pled guilty to murder and attempted murder. He was sentenced to life in prison.
Selestino Torres
FINAL THOUGHTS
It’s a shame that Selestino was able to rope another woman into his bullshit. However, I believe she was either there that day, or knew about his plans to kill Michelle.
My heart breaks for Ramona, and all of Michelle’s family. Ramona is a fighter, and luckily, she was able to survive, and help bring Selestino to justice. Michelle deserved the life that she had been working hard for. Now, she will never be able to be a nurse, and help others, all because Selestino didn’t want anyone else to have her. Rot in prison, scum.
Sources
https://abc13.com/archive/6901498/
https://abc13.com/archive/6911846/
https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/first-court-of-appeals/2012/01-11-00361-cr.html
