Two arrested after wounded woman escapes burning vehicle; man found dead in trunk

State police investigators arrested a man and a woman in connection with a homicide investigation in Doña Ana County.

On September 22, 2016, state police responded to the Doña Ana Mountains regarding a reported aggravated battery and a vehicle fire.

Investigators learned a woman, with a stab wound to her neck, escaped from a burning vehicle. The woman was airlifted to a hospital in El Paso, Texas, where she remains in stable condition.

While investigating the vehicle fire, investigators found the body of a man in the trunk of the vehicle. The body has since been identified as Johnny Ramirez, 20, of Las Cruces.

State Police arrested 18-year-old Damika Childs and 24-year-old Adrian Banda, both of Las Cruces. Childs and Banda were both arrested on several charges, including an open count of murder.

New Mexico State Police is still investigating and pursuing leads for this case.

Banda’s mugshot is not yet available.