2020 murder suspect pleads guilty to lesser charge in wife's death

ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- An Ector County man accused of setting fire to his RV and murdering his wife in 2020 pleaded guilty to a negligent homicide earlier this month. As part of that plea deal, 53-year-old Rito Castro Suniga was sentenced to two years in jail.

According to an Ector County Sheriff's Office report, on December 13, 2020, deputies were called to the 6700 block of N Huber in reference to a residential fire involving a death. At the scene, investigators found 52-year-old Terri Annette Suniga dead inside the RV where she lived with Rito, her husband of more than 20 years.

Investigators said the front of the RV was heavily damaged and evidence at the scene, including a padlocked door, indicated that Terri had been locked inside the RV when the fire broke out. Deputies also said that Rito arrived at the scene amid the investigation and stated that Terri had "possibly" been locked inside the home; investigators said that when they searched Rito, they found him in possession of Terri's phone as well as the key to the padlock.

ECSO said that Rito...