Bio

Ricky Rodriguez, also known as Davidito, was born on January 25, 1975, in Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands. He was the son of Karen Zerby and a Spanish hotel employee. Ricky was considered the adopted son of David Berg, who was Zerby's partner and the leader of the Children of God (COG), a religious group that later changed its name to The Family International. However, no official adoption ever took place.

Ricky's childhood was complicated and marked by a controversial upbringing within the COG. As he grew older, he developed feelings of resentment toward both Berg and Zerby, largely due to experiences of sexual abuse he claimed to have suffered as a child. These experiences were part of the group's unconventional teachings, which included sexual practices that many would consider abusive. His sister, Christina Teresa Zerby, known as Techi, grew up alongside him but held a different perspective on their childhood.

In 1982, the COG published a manual about childcare that included discussions of Ricky's upbringing. This book also contained photographs of him in inappropriate situations with caretakers. Eventually, the organization removed the book from circulation and later reprinted it in a sanitized version. Some original copies are still held by former members.

As he entered adulthood, Ricky left the COG and married Elixcia Munumel. Together, they separated from the group in 2001. Following this decision, Ricky shared his experiences publicly, writing an article on a website dedicated to former members. After separating from his wife in September 2004, Ricky moved to Tucson, Arizona, where he worked as an electrician. Friends and family said he moved there partly to search for his mother, whose whereabouts were unknown to him.

Despite his complex past, Ricky attempted to live a normal life after leaving the COG. His story is intertwined with themes of loss and the quest for understanding his early life.

Murder Story

On January 8, 2005, Richard Peter Rodriguez, also known as Ricky Rodriguez or Davidito, met with Angela Smith, a former associate of his mother, in Tucson, Arizona. He had a history with Smith due to her involvement in his childhood. In his apartment, he attacked her and stabbed her to death. After committing the murder, he left Tucson and drove to Blythe, California.

Once in Blythe, Rodriguez took his own life by shooting himself in the head. Before doing so, he recorded a video message. In this video, he expressed feelings of anger and a desire for revenge, stating he saw himself as a vigilante seeking justice for himself and others who had been abused.

Rodriguez's actions led to two deaths that day: Angela Smith's and his own.