Maribel Ramos, an Army veteran, appeared to be in the right place at the right time. She was ready to embark on a new chapter in her life, as she was only a few days away from graduating. Maribel’s untimely departure in May 2013 was, nonetheless, tragic.
Netflix’s latest true-crime offering, ‘Worst Roommate Ever: Be Careful of the Quiet Ones,’ depicts how investigators traced her roommate’s online activity before eventually convicting him of murder. So, how about we find out more about this case?
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What Caused Maribel Ramos’ Death?
Maribel was born in the month of November of 1976. She had always aspired to work in law enforcement and later joined the Army. Maribel was honourably discharged in 2008 after eight years of service, including two tours in Iraq.
She had recently completed her criminal justice degree at California State University, Fullerton, at the time of her abduction. The 36-year-old shared an apartment with a roommate in Orange, California.
Maribel’s roommate called in at 10:40 a.m. on May 3, 2013, to tell she hadn’t returned home the night before. Her family soon reported her missing after being unable to contact her. On May 3, she also skipped a softball game.
Nothing unusual was discovered during a search of the apartment. Maribel’s car was still there, but her phone and pocketbook were nowhere to be found.
Then, on May 17, 2013, authorities in Modjeska Canyon, California, explored a distant region and discovered her remains in a shallow grave. Maribel’s identity was discovered thanks to dental records. The remains, however, were too decayed to determine the cause of death.
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Who Killed ‘Maribel Ramos’?
Maribel’s phone records revealed that she had chatted to a boyfriend, Paul Lopez, on the night she went missing, according to the detectives.
Maribel was battling with her roommate Kwang Chol “KC” Joy, according to Paul, who was at work that night. It was about his not being able to pay his rent that month. KC had to leave the house the next day, according to Maribel.
Maribel dropped off the rent check at the front office at around 8:30 p.m. on May 2, 2013, sometime after the phone call with Paul, according to surveillance video from the apartment complex.
Maribel was last seen alive at this point. When KC was questioned on the show, he admitted to arguing with Maribel but claimed that he went out for a drive at 9 p.m.
while she was still there. When he returned, KC informed him that she had left. The authorities, on the other hand, had no proof linking him to Maribel’s disappearance.
When speaking to the media, KC cooperated with the authorities and asked for Maribel’s safe return.
“I simply need her back,” he said, claiming he had nothing to do with her disappearance. I’m counting on her to return because she’s my best friend. I miss her because she’s my only friend and my only family member.”
Although the authorities spotted scratches on his arm, KC claimed they were caused by thorny shrubs in a nearby park. Maribel contacted 911 around 11 days before she vanished, saying she was afraid of her roommate after a talk with KC.
Since KC’s phone and laptop were being examined by the authorities, he went to the library on a daily basis to access the internet and use the computers there. Authorities kept track of his online behaviour on one of these visits.
This stage yielded a significant lead in the investigation. KC used maps to view a barren spot in Modjeska Canyon and looked up the time it took for a body to degrade, among other things. Maribel’s remains were discovered after a 45-minute search by the police.
What Happened to KC Joy And Where Is He Now?
KC, aged 55, was on trial for Maribel’s murder in July 2014. The prosecution claimed that the two had a rent disagreement, which led to KC killing his roommate.
They also alleged that KC had feelings for Maribel. KC’s defence, on the other side, alleged that Maribel suffered from paranoia and was perhaps suicidal. Maribel may have died of a medical ailment or committed suicide, leaving a distraught KC to dispose of the body.
KC was found guilty of second-degree murder in the end. “Family wants me to apologise,” he stated before his sentencing, “but I can’t apologise for something I haven’t done.”
Maybe the truth will come out one day, or maybe I’ll just die in prison.” KC was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison in September 2014.
He is still detained at the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad, California, according to prison records. In February 2023, KC will be eligible for parole.
