Shivangi Sinha
Karlyn Ramirez’s death came as an unimaginable shock to her family, made even more painful by the fact that they were living far away when it happened. Her mother, Susan Ramirez, has spoken about the devastating moment she learned of her daughter’s killing and the disbelief that followed. In the years since, Karlyn’s sisters, Roxanna Ramirez and Laura Torres, have also appeared publicly, standing by the prosecution and attending the trial as they sought justice for her. NBC’s ‘Dateline: The Alibi’ explores the investigation in detail, highlighting not only the evidence but also the profound sense of betrayal and loss experienced by Karlyn’s family.
Karlyn Ramirez’s Family Never Expected That Anyone Would Want to Harm Her
Susan and Jesus Ramirez were very proud of the family they built in Del Rio, Texas. Together, they raised five children, daughters Laura, Karlyn, and Roxanna, and sons Jesus Ramirez Jr. and Jesus David Ramirez, instilling in them a strong sense of discipline, service, and togetherness. Susan herself served in the US Air Force, and military service ran in the family, with her grandfather having served in the Army. It was likely this legacy that shaped Karlyn’s sense of purpose. When she told her family she had enlisted in the US Army, Susan recalled feeling immense pride and happiness for her daughter.
While stationed in South Korea, Karlyn informed her family that she planned to marry Maliek Kearney and start a family. Though supportive, Susan and the rest of the family were understandably cautious, as they did not know him well. Still, they trusted Karlyn’s judgment. In 2015, when the couple returned to the US, the Ramirez family was excited to be closer to her and eagerly looked forward to meeting her newborn daughter, Kattaleya Vale Kearney. That joy was shattered in August 2015.
Susan later described the moment three officers walked toward her door as something no parent ever wants to experience. It was then that she was told that Karlyn had been killed. In the aftermath, Susan and Jesus took in baby Vale and raised her as their own. When Maliek later moved to San Antonio, Texas, claiming it was to be closer to his daughter, the family was still reeling. His arrest in October 2016 for Karlyn’s murder came as another devastating shock, but they were glad that he was caught.
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Karlyn Ramirez’s Family Took on the Responsibility of Raising Her Daughter
Susan Ramirez stood firmly in pursuit of justice for her daughter and took the witness stand during Maliek Kearney’s trial in August 2018. In her testimony, Susan stated that Karlyn had been planning to leave her marriage and was considering divorce, and said that her daughter had confided in her about wanting to start over. Susan told the court that she believed this decision was the motive behind Karlyn’s killing. Karlyn’s sister, Roxanna Ramirez, also testified and provided crucial insight into Maliek’s behavior in the weeks leading up to the murder.
Roxanna told the jury that approximately a month before Karlyn’s death, Maliek had called her and made a disturbing statement, saying that if he could not have Karlyn, no one else should. She further stated that she felt he deserved the harshest possible punishment for what he had done. By the time of the trial in 2018, Susan and Jesus Ramirez were raising Karlyn’s daughter, Vale, in Del Rio, Texas. They had taken on the responsibility of providing her with a stable home and preserving her connection to her mother, knowing that one day they would tell her who Karlyn was and the life she had planned for herself.
