Police investigating a May 1 killing in Warrenton say the victim was murdered by her former husband, who drove to her house and allegedly shot her.

The victim has been identified as Maria Ortega of Warrenton. Miguel Ortega, 44, also of Warrenton, was arrested at the site of the killing and charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action.

In an arrest report, Warrenton police said they were dispatched to Maria Ortega’s home on the 2400 block of Anthony Steven Court just before 1 a.m. Saturday. The home is nestled on a corner lot in the Country Meadows subdivision, a few lots south of the Paddock Fields trailer park.

When police arrived, they found Miguel Ortega near the front door with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound to his forehead and a handgun nearby. Maria Ortega was found dead in the home with a gunshot wound to her head, a cut on her forearm and a stab wound to her chest, police said. A folding knife with blood on it and two shell casings were found near her body.

Police stated Miguel Ortega’s injury was not life-threatening, and he was able to speak after the shootings. He allegedly stated that he and Maria had divorced earlier this year, but he wanted them to eventually get back together. Court records show Miguel had moved to a home in Paddock Fields, just a short distance north.

The night of the killing, Miguel learned that their relationship probably wouldn't be repaired. He told police that after he argued with Maria over the phone, he drove to her house armed with the gun and knife. Miguel allegedly admitted to shooting her, before attempting to kill himself, he told police.

Two juveniles were also present at the home and witnessed the killing, police said.

Warrenton Police Lt. Justin Unger said incidents of such violence aren’t common here, but that officers are ready to respond when they happen.

“They refer back to their training and experience. They clear the residence, seal everything off and begin the investigation,” Unger explained. “It’s not something they respond to often, but they know how to handle it.”

He commented that the residence did not have a history of police calls or disturbances.

Unger said Miguel Ortega received medical treatment for non-life threatening injuries. He was released from medical care the same night and was moved to the Warren County Jail, Unger said.

Court records state Ortega is being held at the jail without bond, and had an initial court hearing scheduled for May 4. He does not yet have an attorney to represent him.

“Never heard anything”

Multiple nearby neighbors said they never heard gunshots or knew anything was wrong until police arrived. Several said the only thing they heard that night was the sound of car doors and squealing tires sometime after midnight, and they didn’t think much of it at the time. But for days after, they were reminded of what happened by a white company van arriving to clean the house.

“This was a big surprise. ... (Maria) just said hi the day before,” said one neighbor on the street, who asked not to be identified. She said she’d never seen any other signs of arguments or altercations at the home.

Tony McDonald, whose family lives across the street, said he was awoken at 1:45 a.m. by police knocking on their door to ask if they had heard anything. He said police had never been called to the Ortega house in the 16 years they’ve been neighbors.

“It’s hard. It’s right outside our front window,” McDonald said, as he described waking up to see the police tape around the house. “Me and my wife talked about it. ... Both of us went through divorces, and nothing ever escalated to something like that.”

Heather Howe, whose house is across the corner, said she’d seen Miguel Ortega come to pick up or drop off their kids several times since the Ortegas separated.

“He never goes inside. Usually he parks right in the middle of the street and doesn’t even get out of the car,” Howe said. She said she and her neighbors feel terrible for the kids who were living at the home.

“We’re ready to move. I know it can happen anywhere, but usually it’s more in town, not your neighbor,” Howe added.

“I can’t believe this happened in our neighborhood,” said one other neighbor, who asked not to have her name printed. She said it seems like there’s also been an increase in different types of non-violent crimes in the neighborhood, like cars being stolen. 

“We really want to move,” she said.