True Crime All The Time – Episode 484: The Ortiz Family Murders

Hosts: Mike Ferguson (“A”) and Mike Gibson aka Gibby (“B”)
Release Date: March 30, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Mike and Gibby dive into the harrowing case of the Ortiz family murders in El Rancho, New Mexico. On Father’s Day 2011, Dixie and Lloyd Ortiz, along with their adopted son Stephen, were found brutally murdered in their home. The investigation would span years, involve rumors of drugs and robbery, and ultimately expose betrayal from someone the family once trusted. The hosts meticulously dissect the family’s story, the community’s shock, the crime’s aftermath, and the twisty road to justice.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Stage: The Ortiz Family

• The Victims: Dixie and Lloyd were hard-working community members—he ran a tile business despite chronic pain, she managed finances, worked in a nursing home, and volunteered, all while caring for their adopted, special-needs son Stephen.
• Foster Family Legacy: The couple had fostered eight children before adopting Stephen, who struggled with health issues due to shaken baby syndrome.
  • Quote (08:48): “You’re working essentially two jobs in some capacity and then you’re going to, in your quote unquote, off time, volunteer while you’re fostering children... It says a lot about them.” – Mike

The Crime Scene: Discovery and Initial Theories

• Discovery: Found by daughter Sherry, who lived next door and entered the home when her teenage son reported locked doors.
  • Quote (12:37): “Sherry found her mother in her bedroom clutching a pillow... another body... lying face down on the kitchen floor... but it was actually Steven’s body ... Lloyd was in the backyard with several injuries to his upper head and torso.” – Mike
• Violence: All three suffered extreme trauma; autopsy revealed bludgeoning and stabbing, notably with a pickaxe later found nearby. Stephen suffered 17 wounds, Lloyd 7, Dixie 2.
• Misconceptions: Police initially thought they had been shot due to the appearance of the wounds.

The Drug Motive Speculation

• Discovery of Marijuana: 17 plants inside home, reportedly for Stephen’s medical needs.
• Community Rumors: Speculation swirled about drug dealing, but family/friends insisted it was purely medicinal use.
  • Quote (17:43): “If police knew that wasn’t the case and never tried to clear that up before the media got hold of it... that only adds to our anger here in El Rancho right now.”

Investigation Frustrations

• Police Work: Over a year passed with no arrests despite 120+ interviews and extensive efforts.
• Family Under Scrutiny: Daughter Sherry and her husband were never officially cleared as suspects, delaying insurance payouts and compounding their trauma.
• Scene Handling Issues: Police released the home to the family for cleanup before the autopsy prompted a renewed search for the weapon, possibly compromising evidence.

Emerging Suspects & Breakthrough

• Distant Connections: There was a possible gang-affiliated ex-foster child who had been kicked out, introducing theft and resentment as motives.
• Snitch Tip: Over a year later, an incarcerated relative of Nicholas Ortiz provided the lead that broke the case open.

Unraveling the Crime (32:13-47:03)

• Arrests: 20-year-old Nicholas Ortiz (no relation to the family) was charged, together with cousins Jose and Ashley Robal as accomplices.
• Motives: The plan was a burglary for cash and marijuana; Nicholas, familiar with the house after having lived there for a time, expected $20,000 in the safe.
• Execution Gone Wrong: Nicholas, only 16 at the time, went alone when Jose backed out. He killed the family with a pickaxe, later confessing to his cousins. Ashley, who drove and provided supplies, later traded testimony for leniency.

Testimonies and Evidence (49:01–53:02)

• Witness Contradictions: Both Ashley and Jose gave conflicting stories in court, each minimizing their role. Jose received immunity for testimony.
• Physical Evidence: Little direct evidence; prosecution relied on cell records of communication and testimony. The difficulty in tying Nicholas directly to the scene caused a mistrial in the first attempt.

Court Outcomes

• Retrial & Sentences:
  • Nicholas Ortiz convicted of triple murder, sentenced to three concurrent 25-year terms (eligible for parole after 85% served; possible release in 2036–37).
  • Ashley Robal received 20 years (with six suspended) for her role.
  • Community outrage at relatively lenient sentences, especially in light of the atrocity and premeditation of the murders.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sibling Care and Fear
  Timestamp 07:37
  “They were told that [Stephen] had a 95% chance of dying in his sleep... Sherry would bring him into her room at night to watch over him.” – Mike
• Describing the Scene
  Timestamp 12:37
  “Would be very hard to stomach to see your brother, your mom, your dad dead in this condition.” – Gibby
• On the Motive & Drug Speculation
  Timestamp 17:43
  “Now if police knew that wasn’t the case and... never tried to clear that up... that only adds to our anger here in El Rancho.” – Mike
• True Crime Satire
  Timestamp 22:46
  “It seems like robbery was not the motive for these killings whatsoever… Any house I walk in where I see a wallet on the table, I check for money.” – Gibby
• On Teenage Killers
  Timestamp 33:12
  “It struck me that a 16 year old could kill three individuals with a pickaxe... these were very horrific murders.” – Mike
• Turning Point of the Investigation
  Timestamp 34:52
  “Why does [the tip] come in? Because she’s picked up on a separate charge and probably doesn’t want to be held responsible for that charge... so she’s going to roll over.” – Mike
• On Sentencing and Justice
  Timestamp 56:29
  “It is good. But they’re concurrent... So it’s basically 25 years... For killing three people, that is a pretty light sentence.” – Mike

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 06:30 — Ortiz family background, adoption of Stephen
• 11:34–12:57 — Discovery of bodies and crime scene description
• 13:42–15:37 — Autopsy findings and brutality of crimes
• 16:12–17:44 — The marijuana plant angle and family reputation issues
• 18:12–19:16 — Investigation statistics and family’s frustration
• 26:52–27:23 — Insurance snags and continued suspicion of family
• 32:13–37:08 — Arrest of Nicholas Ortiz; testimony from accomplices
• 49:01–53:02 — Trial, witness contradictions, and lack of hard evidence
• 56:29–60:10 — Sentencing, legal appeals, and discussion on adequacy of justice

Episode Tone & Style

The hosts’ banter remains light at times, especially when dealing with the mechanics of the case or injecting self-awareness about their own lives (e.g., Gibby joking about “volunteering” at the senior center or safecracking like Charlize Theron). Nevertheless, they address the brutality and community impact of the murders with seriousness, expressing dismay at both the acts themselves and the limits of the justice system. They balance empathy for the victims’ family with skepticism about motives and police/prosecutor actions.

Closing Thoughts

This episode exposes not just the facts of a horrific family murder, but the emotional, legal, and ethical ripples that extend through the community and criminal justice system. It’s a painful reminder of how violence by those once trusted can shatter lives, leave questions unanswered, and sometimes deliver less-than-satisfying legal closure. The hosts’ careful, conversational dissection is both sobering and informative.

End of summary.