Juan David Ortiz was born on May 22, 1983. He grew up in Laredo, Texas. Details about his childhood and family life are limited. However, he later served in the United States Navy. After his time in the Navy, Ortiz joined the United States Border Patrol. He worked there for ten years as an intelligence operator. During his service, he had no reported issues with discipline.

Ortiz was married to Daniella Guajardo. Together, they had three children. He pursued education during and after his military service. He earned a bachelor's degree from American Military University. Later, he completed a master's degree at St. Mary's University in Texas.

On September 3, 2018, Juan David Ortiz picked up Melissa Ramirez, a 29-year-old mother of two. After driving two miles along a rural road in Webb County, she stepped out of the vehicle to urinate. Ortiz then shot her multiple times. Her body was found the next day.

Ten days later, on September 13, 2018, Ortiz picked up Claudine Anne Luera, who was 42 and a mother of five. When Luera asked him about Melissa's disappearance, Ortiz shot her in the head as she was leaving his vehicle. Though she was still alive when found, she died later in the hospital.

On September 15, 2018, Ortiz killed two more women within the same day. He took them in two separate trips from Laredo. Their bodies were discovered along a five-mile stretch of Highway 35. Unlike the earlier victims, he had no prior contact with these two.

Ortiz’s crimes began to unravel after a potential victim, Erika Pena, escaped on September 14, 2018. She ran to a nearby state trooper and reported the incident, providing Ortiz's name and the details of his car. Law enforcement quickly located Ortiz, but when he spotted the officers, he fled on foot. He was eventually found hiding in the bed of a truck and arrested.

After his arrest, Ortiz confessed to killing four women and attempting to murder another. He led investigators to one of the crime sites. He was charged with multiple counts, including murder and aggravated assault. In January 2019, he pleaded not guilty despite his confession.

The trial began on November 28, 2022, and on December 7, 2022, he was convicted on all counts. Ortiz was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.