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Huntsville Today
By the People, for the People
Texas Man Executed for Fatally Stabbing Girlfriend and Her 8-Year-Old Son
Cedric Ricks, 51, was sentenced to death for the 2013 killings of Roxann Sanchez and her son Anthony Figueroa.
Mar. 12, 2026 at 12:04am
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Cedric Ricks, 51, was executed on Wednesday evening in Huntsville, Texas for fatally stabbing his girlfriend Roxann Sanchez and her 8-year-old son Anthony Figueroa in 2013. Ricks was sentenced to death for the killings, which also left Sanchez's 12-year-old son Marcus Figueroa injured.
Why it matters
The case highlights the ongoing debate around the death penalty in Texas, which has historically carried out more executions than any other state. It also raises questions about domestic violence, child safety, and the role of the criminal justice system in addressing such tragedies.
The details
According to prosecutors, Ricks and Sanchez were arguing in their apartment when Sanchez's two sons from a previous marriage tried to intervene. Ricks then grabbed a knife from the kitchen and stabbed Roxann Sanchez multiple times. He also fatally stabbed 8-year-old Anthony Figueroa and injured 12-year-old Marcus Figueroa, who played dead until Ricks left the apartment. Ricks did not harm his own 9-month-old son Isaiah. Ricks fled the scene and was later arrested in Oklahoma.
- The killings occurred in May 2013.
- Ricks was executed on Wednesday, March 12, 2026 at 6:55 p.m. CDT.
The players
Cedric Ricks
A 51-year-old Texas man who was executed for fatally stabbing his girlfriend and her 8-year-old son in 2013.
Roxann Sanchez
Ricks' 30-year-old girlfriend who was killed in the 2013 stabbing.
Anthony Figueroa
Roxann Sanchez's 8-year-old son who was killed in the 2013 stabbing.
Marcus Figueroa
Roxann Sanchez's 12-year-old son who was stabbed but survived the 2013 attack.
Isaiah
Ricks' 9-month-old son who was unharmed in the 2013 incident.
What they’re saying
“Explaining my rage, I was upset. Things happen. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I wish I could bring them back, like, right now.”
— Cedric Ricks
The takeaway
This tragic case underscores the devastating impact of domestic violence and the need for stronger measures to protect vulnerable family members, especially children. It also reignites the ongoing debate around the use of capital punishment in Texas and whether it serves as an effective deterrent or simply perpetuates a cycle of violence.
