Suspect arrested in I-90 homicide investigation: Gruesome murder leaves 24-year-old woman dead

Paranoia and anger caused by drug consumption led to the murder of a 24-year-old woman on the side of I-90, about 20 miles west of Ritzville, early on March 1. Adams County Sheriff’s Office investigated the homicide and arrested Manuel Argomaniz-Camargo in connection with the murder.

The homicide had initially been reported as a pedestrian versus vehicle collision, according to Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner.

When law enforcement arrived on scene around 2:45 a.m., they quickly realized the graphic scene in front of them had been committed by an individual, and proceeded to conduct a homicide investigation.

The victim was later identified as 24-year-old Ana Veronica Montelago Garcia, an Illinois resident.

Argomaniz-Camargo had been seen walking eastbound with a child by an individual who had stopped to assist the broken down vehicle. Adams County Deputy Jeff Lane and Washington State Patrol Trooper Dean Burt located the subject nearly a mile from the scene, according to Superior Court documents regarding the investigation.

Upon contact, Argomaniz-Camargo released the three-year-old child, who immediately ran into Trooper Burt’s arms, the report states. The child involved was later identified as Argomaniz-Camargo and Garcia’s child.

The WSP Crime Scene Response Team (CSRT) processed the scene and located a substantial amount of a crystal substance. The substance later tested positive for amphetamines and another container with a similar substance was also discovered.

During an interview in the afternoon of March 1, Argomaniz-Camargo described the events leading up to the death of Garcia. He advised law enforcement officers the two had left Chicago with their child about two days prior, with the intent for him to sell “crystal” in Washington, the report states.

He admitted to snorting “crystal” and cocaine to help stay awake and to be able to drive straight through from Chicago to Washington.

Along the way, he said he advised Garcia to sleep but she did not, the report states. The paranoia began to set in, and Argomaniz-Camargo said the drugs made him feel weird and he began to feel nervous.

According to the report, after breaking down in Montana, Garcia’s mother came to assist them and they followed her to Washington. During this time, Argomaniz-Camargo said different things began happening to the vehicle because Garcia was a witch, and she could control various mechanical functions on the vehicle with her hands, feet and a chip in her mouth.

While following Garcia’s mother, Argomaniza-Camargo stated she would not let him pass her and she was not going to Moses Lake. He advised Garcia he would ram into her mother’s vehicle, but instead they were able to pass but drove in circles to lose her.

He also advised of an accident happening several times and stated he was drowned in anger, the report continues.

Argomaniz-Camargo then stopped the vehicle, opened the passenger door and pushed Garcia out. She reportedly reentered the vehicle, when he grabbed her by the hair and yelled at her about trying to kill him and their child by using witchcraft on the vehicle.

According to Argomaniz-Camargo’s report, Garcia grabbed a pocket knife and sliced his finger. The couple proceeded to fight, when Garcia advised she regretted ever having a child.

Argomaniz-Camargo said he then began stabbing her with the blade he took from her and the fight continued outside the vehicle.

Argomaniz-Camargo said he used a framing hammer first to break the driver’s side window of the vehicle because he could not find the keys. As Garcia attempted to get to their child, he reported hitting her in the head with the hammer.

As Garcia was laying on the ground, the report says Argomaniz-Camargo placed his belt around her neck to drag her where the child could not see the body. He stated the child said “Mommy, daddy’s not good” and then Argomaniz-Camargo hit her with the hammer several more times.

His description of the attack matched the injuries recorded by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO).

After the attack, Argomaniz-Camargo reported he wanted to put a rock on the gas pedal and have the vehicle and her drive off. When that plan failed, he attempted to burn the vehicle by putting a shirt in the gas tank, shoving it down with a screwdriver and lighting it.

Due to the weather conditions, this attempt was also unsuccessful. In the report, Argomaniz-Camargo admitted to stabbing Garcia with the screwdriver multiple times, even though she was already dead.

Garcia was discovered with the screwdriver still sticking out of her chest, ACSO reported.

According to the report, Argomaniz-Camargo stated he will never regret the things he said to Garcia because of the things she said to him, and he just wanted to be with his child.

Argomaniz-Camargo made his first appearance in court on March 2, where Superior Court Judge Steve Dixon set bail at $2 million and established a no contact order between Arogmaniz-Camargo and the child.

Arraignment on the Murder in the First Degree charge is set for March 15.