Two dead in apparent murder-suicide after Burleson kidnapping and police chase

BURLESON, Texas - Two people are dead following a police chase that ended with a man killing his estranged wife and then himself.

Burleson police report that the man forced the woman into his SUV and refused to pull over when officers attempted to stop him.

Burleson Kidnapping Chase

What we know:

According to the Burleson Police Department, the police chase started around 7:45 a.m. on Thursday after someone called 911 to report seeing an armed man forcing a woman into a black SUV at an apartment complex on West Hidden Creek Parkway.

Officers later spotted the SUV, but the driver wouldn’t stop, prompting a high-speed pursuit that lasted about 35 minutes.

A neighbor’s backyard security camera captured part of the chase. A FOX 4 viewer also shared cellphone video of officers chasing the SUV down Wilshire Boulevard.

During the pursuit, police officers deployed spike strips along U.S. Highway 377, successfully striking both passenger side tires of the suspect's vehicle. Despite the damage, the suspect continued driving.

The two people in the vehicle were found dead a short time later in a cul-de-sac near the Bourland Field Airport in Cresson. Police called it a murder-suicide.

Victim identified

Local perspective:

The boyfriend of 34-year-old Bianca Garza confirmed she was killed by her ex-husband in the incident.

Ezekiel Cain, her current boyfriend, says Garza's estranged husband showed up to her apartment earlier than expected. The two were supposed to have a civil conversation before the chase occurred.

"She loved to love. And that is what made me fall in love with her," Cains tells FOX 4's Peyton Yager. "She was a blessing, and now she is my guardian angel."

Garza had recently graduated from nursing school, and leaves two children behind. 

Cain says he's speaking out to raise awareness of domestic violence. Burleson Police and Mansfield Police said they hadn't responded to any previous calls regarding Garza and her estranged husband.

"I'm doing this to advocate for her or for anybody dealing with domestic abuse."

"We know that domestic violence is very nuanced. There is no relationship or abuse that is the exact same. Abuse happens in a lot of different ways," says Amy Norton with Genesis Women's Shelter.

What they're saying:

"This all occurred out in the parking lot. The wife drove the 9-year-old child to school and was returning back to the parking lot," said Burleson Police Chief Billy Cordell.

"We recognize that today's events have deeply affected families involved. Our responding officers, our public safety communications personnel, as well as this community. Our thoughts remain with the children and loved ones who are now facing an unimaginable loss," Chief Cordell said.

What's next:

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office identified Garza on Thursday night. The male suspect has not been identified yet.

The estranged couple’s two children – ages 9 and 14 – were not hurt and are now being cared for by family members.

Witness Video

What they're saying:

FOX 4 talked to several motorists who witnessed and recorded part of the chase. Daniel Lopez narrated what was happening.

"Oh, he's gonna go, he's gonna go across the grass. Watch. Oh, he's coming over here. Look, he's coming across the grass. He's going back on the road," he said.

The video shows the black SUV hopping a curb with multiple police cruisers in pursuit. They go behind a building, travel through a ditch, and return to the roadway during the chase.

BurlesonTexasCrime and Public Safety