Authorities have charged Angel DeJesus Rivera-Sanchez, a 24-year-old illegal alien from Mexico, with the kidnapping and murder of 25-year-old Minelys “Mimi” Rodriguez-Ramirez, a popular fitness influencer originally from Puerto Rico.
The incident has prompted renewed calls from Georgia lawmakers for stricter immigration policies.
According to the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, Rodriguez-Ramirez went missing on October 22, shortly after being seen at a Walmart in Cornelia.
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By October 23, her family reported her missing, prompting an intensive search effort. Using K-9 units, police found her body not far from the Walmart location where she was last seen.
Rivera-Sanchez, now in custody, was apprehended on October 28 near a bus station in Atlanta.
Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell confirmed that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified Rivera-Sanchez as an illegal immigrant based on fingerprint and document verification.
“They have verified it through fingerprints and documents and different things, but they have come out and said that he is illegal,” Terrell stated.
In response to the arrest, Georgia state senators John Albers (R–Roswell) and Steve Gooch (R–Dahlonega) released statements criticizing the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of immigration and border security, arguing that such policies have led to tragedies in Georgia and across the country.
“How many more lives must be lost due to the open-border policies in Washington, D.C.?” Sen. Albers said. “The administration’s failure to address this issue impacts families here in Georgia and across the United States. Earlier this year, our community mourned the tragic death of Laken Riley, a resident of my district, and now we mourn Mimi Rodriguez-Ramirez. These were preventable tragedies, and we will not forget them. Say their names.”
Rodriguez-Ramirez, a social media influencer with a strong following, inspired many in the fitness community.
Her family has launched a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral costs.
Donald Trump brought Mimi’s mother on stage at his Rally yesterday in Macon, Georgia.
Rivera-Sanchez is being held in the Habersham County Jail without bond, pending a hearing on November 20 for the kidnapping charge.
The tragic case has amplified calls for a reassessment of current immigration policies, with lawmakers urging action to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Read the full press release from the GBI and Habersham County Sheriff’s Office:
GBI and Habersham County Sheriff’s Office Locate Remains Believed to be Missing Woman, Minelys Zoe Rodriguez-Ramirez; Suspect to be Charged with Murder
Cornelia, Georgia (October 29, 2024( — GBI agents and Habersham County Sheriff’s Office investigators have located the remains of a woman believed to be 25-year-old Minelys Zoe Rodriguez-Ramirez, of Cornelia. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources assisted in the recovery. Angel DeJesus Rivera-Sanchez, age 24, also of Cornelia, will be charged with murder in connection to Rodriguez-Ramirez’s death.
On Monday, October 28, 2024, GBI agents arrested Rivera-Sanchez in Atlanta on charges of kidnapping related to Rodriguez-Ramirez’s disappearance. Rivera-Sanches was subsequently taken to the Habersham County Detention Center, where he was booked on the kidnapping charge.
Rodriguez-Ramirez was reported missing by family members on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, after she was last seen on October 22. The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the GBI on Friday, October 25.
The remains have been taken to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office, where a medical examiner will conduct an autopsy .
This investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the GBI at 800-597-8477, use the See Something, Send Somethingmobile app, or submit tips online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online.
Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Read the full statement from John Albers (R–Roswell) and Steve Gooch (R–Dahlonega):
Senate Public Safety Chairman John Albers, Majority Leader Steve Gooch Demand Border Security Action Following Murder of Minelys Zoe Rodriguez-Ramirez
ATLANTA (October 31, 2024) — Senate Committee on Public Safety Chairman, Sen. John Albers (R–Roswell) and Senate Majority Leader Sen. Steve Gooch (R–Dahlonega) today issued statements following the tragic murder of Minelys Zoe Rodriguez-Ramirez, whose body was recovered last week after her disappearance from Cornelia, Georgia.
Sen. Albers expressed his thoughts regarding the events leading to Rodriguez-Ramirez’s death, drawing a strong connection to a lack of border security and urging immediate federal action:
“It is with profound sadness and frustration that we mourn the senseless murder of Minelys Zoe Rodriguez-Ramirez. Known as ‘Mimi’ to her friends, 25-year-old Rodriguez-Ramirez worked hard to build a life here in Georgia. She was last seen on October 22, 2024, at a Walmart in Cornelia, and her body was tragically found a week later. She leaves behind a grieving family, including a 9-year-old daughter.
Mimi moved from Puerto Rico and secured employment with Mt. Vernon Hills, Inc. and tirelessly supported her daughter, mother and fiance. She did everything right, yet her life was cut short because of our federal government’s repeated failure to protect its own citizens.
The suspected murderer, Angel DeJesus Rivera-Sanches, an illegal immigrant who had no right to be here, was apprehended in Atlanta as he tried to flee back to Mexico. He has been charged with kidnapping in connection to her disappearance.
Once again, our open-border policies have claimed another innocent life on American soil, right here in Georgia. I commend the swift work of the Habersham Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and all agencies involved in apprehending this suspect. My colleagues in the Senate and I will remain unwavering in our commitment to securing our state and nation. Earlier this year, we acted decisively with House Bill 1105, the Georgia Criminal Alien Track and Report Act, which I proudly carried in the Senate and was signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp.
How many more lives must be lost due to the open-border policies in Washington, D.C.? The administration’s failure to address this issue impacts families here in Georgia and across the United States. Earlier this year, our community mourned the tragic death of Laken Riley, a resident of my district, and now we mourn Mimi Rodriguez-Ramirez. These were preventable tragedies, and we will not forget them. Say their names.”
Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch echoed Sen. Albers’ sentiments, calling for immediate and stronger federal action on border control to prevent such tragedies in the future:
“The murder of Minelys Zoe Rodriguez-Ramirez, so close to my district, is a tragedy that should prompt us all to question how much longer we will put our own people at risk due to Washington’s failure to secure our borders. Mimi followed the law, worked hard and raised a family here, yet her life was stolen by an illegal alien who had no right to be in this country. Enough is enough. We must protect our families, uphold the dignity of those who respect our laws and restore the security that every community deserves.”
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