Bedford, Texas, October 23, 2025
News Summary
Cedric Ricks, 51, has been sentenced to death for the 2013 stabbing murders of his ex-girlfriend, Roxann Sanchez, and her 8-year-old son, Anthony Figueroa. Ricks is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on March 11, 2026, following a trial that lasted 45 minutes for conviction and seven hours for sentencing. The case highlights ongoing issues of domestic violence as two other children were present during the attack, underscoring the tragedy and its implications for awareness and prevention.
Bedford, Texas — Execution Date Set for Cedric Ricks, Convicted of Stabbing Ex-Girlfriend and Her Son to Death in 2013
Cedric Ricks, 51, is scheduled to be executed on March 11, 2026, by lethal injection at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Huntsville Unit. Ricks was found guilty of capital murder in May 2014 for the stabbing deaths of his ex-girlfriend, 30-year-old Roxann Sanchez, and her 8-year-old son, Anthony Figueroa.
The murders occurred on May 1, 2013, in a Bedford apartment where Ricks stabbed both Sanchez and Anthony multiple times during an argument. At the time of the incident, two other children, including Ricks and Sanchez’s 9-month-old son, Isaiah, were present in the apartment but were not harmed. Additionally, Ricks attacked Sanchez’s 12-year-old son, Marcus Figueroa, inflicting 25 stab wounds; he survived and later testified against Ricks at the trial.
During the trial, Marcus recounted an account of using a gurgling noise, mimicking his brother, to persuade Ricks to stop his attack. Following the incident, Ricks fled the scene in Sanchez’s car. He was apprehended in Oklahoma after law enforcement tracked him down using a cellphone ping and later confessed to family members about the murders.
The jury needed only 45 minutes to convict Ricks of capital murder, with additional seven hours taken to decide on a death sentence. Ricks has since exhausted all legal avenues for appeal in both state and federal courts, and there are currently no stays in effect. The Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office sought the execution date, which was ordered by Judge Ryan Hill.
Ricks’s defense raised concerns regarding his mental health, claiming he has a brain condition that predisposes him to violence, as testified by a neuroscience researcher. Ricks’s mother also testified in his defense, discussing her efforts to rehabilitate him throughout his life. Notably, during the punishment phase of his trial, Ricks expressed a desire to die.
This case underscores the ongoing issues related to domestic violence, coinciding with National Domestic Violence Awareness Month as stated by Tarrant County officials. The tragic circumstances of the murder of Sanchez and her young son highlight the critical need for awareness and action in addressing domestic violence.
FAQ
When is Cedric Ricks’s execution scheduled?
Cedric Ricks is scheduled to be executed on March 11, 2026, by lethal injection at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Huntsville Unit.
What crimes was Cedric Ricks convicted of?
Ricks was found guilty of capital murder in May 2014 for the stabbing deaths of his ex-girlfriend, 30-year-old Roxann Sanchez, and her 8-year-old son, Anthony Figueroa.
What happened during the murders in 2013?
The murders occurred on May 1, 2013, in a Bedford apartment where Ricks stabbed both Sanchez and Anthony multiple times during an argument. Two other children were present but not harmed.
What was the jury’s decision in Ricks’s trial?
The jury needed only 45 minutes to convict Ricks of capital murder and approximately seven hours to decide on a death sentence.
Chart of Key Case Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Victims | Roxann Sanchez, 30, and her son, Anthony Figueroa, 8 |
| Date of Crime | May 1, 2013 |
| Conviction Date | May 2014 |
| Execution Date | March 11, 2026 |
| Trial Duration for Conviction | 45 minutes |
| Trial Duration for Sentence | 7 hours |
| Other Children Present | Two, including a 9-month-old son |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Fox 4 News: Execution Date Set
- Dallas News: Bedford Man Convicted
- BBC News: Case Overview
- Star Telegram: Local Crime Report
- Boston Globe: New Bedford Stabbing
- Wikipedia: Capital Punishment in the United States
- Google Search: Domestic Violence
- Google Scholar: Domestic Violence Awareness
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Domestic Violence
- Google News: Cedric Ricks Execution
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