Podcast Summary: "Snapped: Women Who Murder" – Episode: Lulu Sosa
Release Date: August 10, 2025
Host: Oxygen
1. Introduction to the Case
The episode delves into the harrowing true-crime story of Lulu Sosa, a woman who orchestrated a plot to murder her husband, Ramon Sosa. Set in Montgomery County, Texas, the narrative unfolds with the discovery of Ramon’s body and the subsequent investigation that unravels the sinister motives behind the attempted murder.
2. Discovery of the Crime Scene
Timestamp: [02:36] – [05:15]
On July 21, 2015, at 5 PM, investigators are called to a secluded area in Montgomery County, Texas, where they uncover the lifeless body of Ramon Sosa. Detective Jason Martinez describes the scene:
“I was standing above the body of a dead man in a grave.”
— Detective Jason Martinez [03:28]
The body, dressed only in underwear with bound hands and a gunshot wound to the head, suggests a cold-blooded execution. Mundo, a close friend of Ramon, remarks on the methodical nature of the crime:
“It was like he was executed. And then his body was placed in a hole where no one else could find it.”
— Mundo [03:59]
3. Background of Ramon and Lulu Sosa
Timestamp: [13:32] – [20:47]
Ramon Sosa, born in Puerto Rico in 1967, moved to Texas as a teenager. A professional boxer turned community mentor, Ramon founded the Young Prospects Boxing outreach program in 2004, aiming to guide at-risk youth through sports. His dedication to the community is evident:
“I was a professional boxer at 17, still a senior in high school. And that was pretty cool, you know?”
— Ramon Sosa [14:21]
Ramon met Lulu Durantes in a nightclub where a chance encounter led to marriage in 2009. Lulu, originally from Mexico City, worked tirelessly to support her family, eventually becoming an American citizen. Together, they opened Woodlands Boxing and Fitness, with Ramon managing the boxing operations and Lulu handling the business side.
Over the years, their marriage began to deteriorate, primarily due to financial strains and growing jealousy from Lulu. By 2015, tension reached a boiling point when Lulu filed for divorce, citing greed and hatred as primary motivators.
“We were okay the first three years and then after the third year, that's when I saw little cracks started in our relationship. It seemed like the more money we made, the more arguments we got into.”
— Ramon Sosa [20:12]
4. Uncovering the Motive
Timestamp: [06:04] – [21:39]
Two weeks before the discovery of Ramon's body, Lulu expressed her desire to have Ramon killed during a conversation overheard by Mundo at the gym. Mundo's intervention was pivotal:
“She was looking for someone to kill her husband.”
— Detective Jason Martinez [01:34]
Lulu's explicit wish for Ramon's disappearance ignited Mundo's concern. With a troubled past, Mundo felt compelled to assist, leading him to fabricate the existence of a hitman named Paco. In reality, Ramon took on the role of the supposed assassin to gather evidence against Lulu.
“Probably one of the few men that has ever walked out of his own grave alive.”
— Ramon Sosa [05:35]
The duo strategized to prove Lulu's intent by staging Ramon's murder, ensuring that she would react to the fabricated death.
5. The Undercover Operation
Timestamp: [28:01] – [38:38]
Detectives, in collaboration with the Texas Department of Public Safety, initiated an undercover operation. An officer posing as Paco met with Lulu, negotiating the terms of the hit. Lulu's lack of hesitation and her immediate agreement upon seeing Ramon's "dead" photo confirmed her malicious intent:
“We agreed on $1,000 cash, the title to Ramon's truck once the job was done. And she was going to give Paco some of Ramon's jewelry to compensate him further.”
— Detective Jason Martinez [30:54]
To solidify the case, Ramon was taken to a pre-dug shallow grave where his death was staged. The process required meticulous attention to detail to ensure authenticity, as the operation hinged on demonstrating Lulu's intent to commit capital murder.
“I was in the back of this SUV and it was blacked out, you know, and me sitting in the back seat thinking, like, what am I doing?”
— Ramon Sosa [34:40]
The staged death successfully elicited a chilling reaction from Lulu when she saw the fabricated evidence.
“Probably the most chilling part of this entire case was her immediate response to the photo. And it was her smile.”
— Detective Jason Martinez [37:59]
6. Arrest and Aftermath
Timestamp: [38:25] – [46:27]
Following the successful sting operation, Lulu was arrested on July 23, 2015, for solicitation of capital murder. Her reaction during the arrest was emotionally charged, revealing the depth of her animosity towards Ramon.
At her hearing, Ramon delivered a profound victim impact statement, expressing forgiveness despite the betrayal:
“I forgave her and it was as if I had released all that anger and all that tension and I was at peace again.”
— Ramon Sosa [45:07]
Lulu faced a plea deal, accepting a sentence of 20 years in prison. Her cooperation in accepting responsibility, despite lacking a prior criminal history, was a significant factor in the sentencing.
“She agreed to plead to 20 years in prison to what's called a second-degree felony, which carries a range of punishment for her from probation to 20 years.”
— Mundo [43:56]
The Sosa family, though deeply scarred by the ordeal, found solace in their strengthened bonds and the closure brought by Lulu's conviction.
“Our family is much, much closer. The dynamics between my father and I have been amazing.”
— Ramon Sosa [45:28]
7. Conclusion and Reflections
The episode concludes with reflections on the impact of the case on Ramon and his family. Despite the betrayal and trauma, Ramon emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and learning from the experience to help others in similar situations.
“I hope that people that see my story can learn something from it and I hope that it helps them.”
— Ramon Sosa [45:07]
Key Takeaways
-
Motive Driven by Greed and Anger: Lulu Sosa's desire for financial gain and her intense jealousy were primary motivators behind her attempt to murder Ramon.
-
Strategic Undercover Operations: The collaboration between Ramon, Mundo, and law enforcement showcased the effectiveness of undercover operations in solving severe crimes.
-
Impact on Family Dynamics: Despite the harrowing events, the Sosa family's unity and resilience played a crucial role in their healing process.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
Detective Jason Martinez:
“There was just no margin for error. It was truly life or death.”
[01:46] -
Mundo:
“They were talking about that Lulu wished that Ramon was dead.”
[07:07] -
Ramon Sosa:
“I was stunned. I was in total fear.”
[32:43] -
Detective Jason Martinez:
“We had enough. We had our case. We'd gotten across the goal line.”
[38:31]
This episode of "Snapped: Women Who Murder" intricately weaves the narrative of betrayal, strategic investigation, and ultimate justice, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in unraveling such a dark tale.