In a haunting conclusion to a tragic case, Cedric Allen Ricks was executed by lethal injection in Texas on March 11, 2026, after spending 12 years on death row. The 51-year-old’s execution marks a somber chapter in a story that began with unimaginable violence and loss.
Ricks was convicted for the brutal murders of his girlfriend, Roxanne Sanchez, and her young son, Anthony Figueroa, on May 1, 2013. The events unfolded in their Bedford, Texas apartment, a seemingly quiet suburb that would soon be rocked by tragedy. Just a day prior to the horrific incident, Ricks had appeared in court for assaulting Sanchez, raising serious concerns about the volatile nature of their relationship.
On that fateful day, an argument escalated into chaos. Ricks retrieved a knife from the kitchen and attacked Sanchez first. Witnesses, including Sanchez’s two sons, were left traumatized as they tried to intervene. Tragically, Anthony, just eight years old, lost his life in the attack. His older brother, Marcus, who was 12 at the time, narrowly escaped death by pretending to be dead after suffering 25 stab wounds. His quick thinking ultimately saved his life, but the scars of that day would haunt him forever.
After fleeing the scene, Ricks was apprehended in Oklahoma, where he was charged with capital murder. The trial, which took place in Tarrant County, was marked by emotional testimony from Marcus, who bravely recounted the harrowing events. The jury took less than an hour to reach a guilty verdict, and Ricks was sentenced to death on May 16, 2014.
Over the next 12 years, Ricks’s legal team pursued multiple appeals, citing ineffective counsel and alleged racial bias in jury selection. However, each appeal was denied, culminating in a final emergency request to the U.S. Supreme Court just hours before his execution—a request that was also turned down.
As the execution date approached, Ricks faced a reality that many death row inmates do: the absence of a final meal request. Since Texas abolished the practice in 2011, all inmates are served a standard meal on the day of their execution.
On the evening of March 11, Ricks was brought to the Huntsville Unit, a facility known for its history of executions. Witnesses, including family members and media representatives, observed as the lethal dose of pentobarbital was administered. At 6:55 PM, Ricks was pronounced dead.
In his final moments, Ricks addressed the families of his victims, expressing remorse for the pain he caused. He specifically acknowledged Marcus, the boy who survived and testified against him, saying, “I always thought about you, and I’m sorry that I took your mom and your brother away.”
The story of Cedric Allen Ricks is a stark reminder of the lasting impact of violence and the complex emotions surrounding the death penalty. As we reflect on the lives affected by this tragedy, one question lingers: How does one find healing after such profound loss?