15.11.2026 01:20
In the U.S. state of Texas, 46-year-old John Allen Rubio, who was convicted in 2003 of killing and decapitating three young children, one of whom was his own biological child, was executed by lethal injection 22 years later. As Rubio’s sentence was carried out, he apologized to his wife’s family in his final words and said, “I will be with my children soon,” while a memorial service was held for the children.
John Allen Rubio, 46, who was convicted of killing three young children and cutting off their heads in the US state of Texas in 2003, was executed by lethal injection. Of the children Rubio killed, 2-month-old Mary Jane was his biological daughter, while 14-month-old John Esteban and 3-year-old Julissa were stepchildren from the previous relationship of his partner Angela Camacho, with whom he lived.
THREE YOUNG CHILDREN WERE KILLED IN 2003
The incident occurred on March 11, 2003, in Brownsville, Texas. John Allen Rubio and Angela Camacho, with whom he lived, stabbed and killed three young children in the same house and cut off their heads.
The murdered children were identified as 2-month-old Mary Jane Rubio, 14-month-old John Esteban Rubio, and 3-year-old Julissa Quezada. Mary Jane was Rubio's biological daughter. The other two children were born from Camacho's previous relationship.
FIRST DEATH SENTENCE OVERTURNED, HE WAS SENTENCED TO DEATH AGAIN
Rubio, who was tried after the murders, was sentenced to death at his first trial. However, the appellate court overturned the verdict on the grounds that there was an irregularity in accepting his wife's statements as evidence.
At his retrial, Rubio claimed he was innocent, arguing that he was not mentally sound. Experts for the defense diagnosed Rubio with paranoid schizophrenia, while prosecution experts opposed this assessment. Rubio was found guilty again in the second trial and was again sentenced to death.
EXECUTED 22 YEARS LATER
The sentence of 46-year-old John Allen Rubio was carried out by lethal injection on Thursday, November 12, at the Texas State Penitentiary in Huntsville. Rubio died at 6:47 p.m. local time.
Asked for his last words before the execution, Rubio thanked prison staff for helping him find faith. Apologizing to his wife's family, Rubio said, 'I cannot change the past.' He then said, 'I will soon be with my children. I am ready to go to heaven beside my Lord and Savior.'
A PARK WAS BUILT IN MEMORY OF THE CHILDREN
During Rubio's execution, a memorial ceremony was held in Brownsville in memory of the murdered children. One of the children's aunts and local residents gathered at Tres Angeles Park to remember the three children.
It was stated that the apartment building where the murders took place was later demolished and that Tres Angeles Park and a community garden were created in its place in memory of the children.
Angela Camacho, who was tried alongside Rubio, is serving a life sentence for her role in the murders.