Identities released of husband, wife killed in murder-suicide in SE Houston

HOUSTON – Houston police have released the identities of a husband and wife killed in an apparent murder-suicide in southeast Houston.

The shootings happened in the 7500 block of El Rancho about 1:50 p.m. Tuesday.

According to police, the couple was in the process of getting divorced.  They say the husband, Juan Gabriel Ruiz-Mendez, asked his wife, Melodie Ruiz-Mendez, to meet him at a home so he could give her a Christmas gift.

The couple was sitting in a car on the street when the husband shot his 40-year-old wife multiple times in the torso.  He then fatally shot himself.

Police said the couple's divorce was set to be finalized at the end of the month.