Lakewood Woman Murdered After Morning Threats from Partner

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Two people, Manelson Leonel Ramirez and Flor Maria Contreras-Mujica, have been sentenced to a combined over 40 years in prison for the 2025 murder of Nairelis Castel-Orozco in Lakewood, Colorado. Contreras-Mujica, the victim's partner, had threatened Castel-Orozco earlier that morning, and later urged her to confront Ramirez, Contreras-Mujica's boyfriend, leading to the fatal shooting.

Why it matters

This case highlights the deadly consequences of domestic violence and the need for stronger intervention and support systems to protect victims. It also raises questions about the role of bystanders and the challenges of getting witnesses to come forward in cases of intimate partner violence.

The details

On January 14, 2025, Lakewood police responded to reports of a shooting and found Nairelis Castel-Orozco with a gunshot wound to her throat. She was taken to the hospital but later died from her injuries. Contreras-Mujica, Castel-Orozco's partner, initially told police a man with a covered face had approached them and shot Castel-Orozco. However, another witness contradicted this, saying Contreras-Mujica and Castel-Orozco had fought that morning, with Contreras-Mujica threatening Castel-Orozco and attempting to set her clothes on fire. When Ramirez, Contreras-Mujica's boyfriend, arrived, Contreras-Mujica urged Castel-Orozco to confront him, leading to the fatal shooting.

• On January 14, 2025, Lakewood police responded to reports of a shooting at around 8:30 p.m.
• Castel-Orozco told her sister on the morning of the shooting that Contreras-Mujica had threatened to send someone to their apartment to kill her.

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Ramirez to be released on bail pending his appeal.