Woman, 24, 'is shot dead by abusive boyfriend, 21, before he turns the gun on himself'

A 24-year-old woman was killed in an apparent murder-suicide on Wednesday, allegedly at the hands of her boyfriend, just days before her brother was found dead by her family on Christmas Day.

 Itzell Sanchez was found dead alongside a 21-year-old man – identified online as her boyfriend Norge Dominguez – in a black Ford Mustang that was parked near an apartment complex in west Houston before dawn on Wednesday.

Her mother, Claudia Sanchez, told KTRK-TV that her daughter had recently got back together with the 21-year-old, and said he had been physically and emotionally abusive toward her.

She spoke of her regret that she had not prevented the reunion – which happened just two days before Itzell’s murder on Wednesday. 

Now, just two days later, the family have suffered fresh heartache, with friends announcing online that Itzell’s brother, Gerardo ‘Jerry’ Figueroa has also died. 

The details of his death have not been confirmed by authorities.   

Itzell Sanchez (left), 24, and her boyfriend, Norge Dominguez (right), 21, are pictured above. Houston Police said Itzell was shot dead by a man while they were engaged in an argument in a parked black Ford Mustang before dawn on Wednesday. The man, who has not been identified, then turned the gun on himself and died by suicide, according to investigators

Itzell Sanchez (left), 24, and her boyfriend, Norge Dominguez (right), 21, are pictured above. Houston Police said Itzell was shot dead by a man while they were engaged in an argument in a parked black Ford Mustang before dawn on Wednesday. The man, who has not been identified, then turned the gun on himself and died by suicide, according to investigators

Friends of Itzell (pictured) said that Dominguez killed her. They accused him of being abusive toward her

Friends of Itzell (pictured) said that Dominguez killed her. They accused him of being abusive toward her

Friends of Itzell (pictured) said that Dominguez killed her. They accused him of being abusive toward her

The murder-suicide took place near a west Houston apartment complex where one of Itzell's friends lived. Police are seen above near the site of the shootings early on Wednesday morning

The murder-suicide took place near a west Houston apartment complex where one of Itzell’s friends lived. Police are seen above near the site of the shootings early on Wednesday morning

Norge Dominguez’s Facebook page shows a cover photo which features a selfie of him alongside Itzell Sanchez.

‘I love you,’ Itzell wrote in response to the photo last week. The message included a smiley emoji with three tiny hearts plastered on its face.

Houston Police said that it appeared Itzell was fatally shot by the man before he turned the gun on himself. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

The coroner has yet to officially identify the deceased male.

Witnesses said they heard screaming as the couple was arguing moments before gunshots rang out, according to investigators.

One woman was heard yelling ‘No’ several times before the gunshot were heard, investigators said.

Claudia Sanchez said she is filled with regret for not stepping in more forcefully to shield her daughter from a toxic relationship.

‘I regret that,’ Claudia told KTRK-TV.

Itzell's mother, Claudia Sanchez (pictured on Thursday), said she regrets not doing more to prevent her daughter from getting back together with Dominguez

Claudia Sanchez, Itzell's mother, is pictured last year

Itzell’s mother, Claudia Sanchez (pictured left on Thursday and right last year), said she regrets not doing more to prevent her daughter from getting back together with Dominguez

‘I will all my life because I saw the signs. I didn’t do anything about it.’

Itzell had briefly broken up with her boyfriend, but recently informed her mother that she would be resuming the relationship despite her objections.

She told her mother that she was in love.

‘He would hit her and make her feel guilty for hitting her,’ Claudia said.

‘We kept telling my daughter to stay away from this guy, he’s not good.’

Claudia received a telephone call early on Wednesday asking her to appear at the crime scene in west Houston.

‘I saw two people in those black bags and I said, “Is my daughter in those bags?” and they said yes,’ the bereaved mother said.

Claudia said that Itzell and her boyfriend were both at a party. Soon afterward, they went to an apartment complex where one of Itzell’s friends lived.

‘[My daughter] had a beautiful smile and now I’m never gonna see that smile again,’ said Claudia.

After splitting up briefly, Itzell recently got back together with Dominguez (pictured)

After splitting up briefly, Itzell recently got back together with Dominguez (pictured)

Last week, Itzell wrote 'I love you' in response to the cover photo of the two of them that Dominguez featured on his Facebook account

Last week, Itzell wrote ‘I love you’ in response to the cover photo of the two of them that Dominguez featured on his Facebook account

Karina Ramirez, who identifies herself as Dominguez's older sister, started a GoFundMe to help the family pay for funeral expenses

Karina Ramirez, who identifies herself as Dominguez’s older sister, started a GoFundMe to help the family pay for funeral expenses 

On Thursday, Josh Espinal, who identifies himself as a friend who once dated Itzell, wrote a post in tribute to the young woman. He also angrily accuses Dominguez of being abusive toward her

On Thursday, Josh Espinal, who identifies himself as a friend who once dated Itzell, wrote a post in tribute to the young woman. He also angrily accuses Dominguez of being abusive toward her

Gabriela Fajardo, a woman who identifies herself as a friend of Itzell Sanchez, also took to Facebook on Wednesday and accused Dominguez of abusing and killing his girlfriend

Gabriela Fajardo, a woman who identifies herself as a friend of Itzell Sanchez, also took to Facebook on Wednesday and accused Dominguez of abusing and killing his girlfriend

‘Every minute of my life I’m going to miss her forever.’

Karina Ramirez, who identifies herself as an older sister of Dominguez, set up a GoFundMe account to help the family pay for funeral expenses.

DailyMail.com has sought comment from Ramirez about allegations that her brother was abusive toward Itzell Sanchez. 

A separate GoFundMe was set up to help the family pay for Itzell’s funeral expenses.

The person who set up that crowdfunding effort posted another GoFundMe page claiming that Itzell’s brother, Gerardo ‘Jerry’ Figueroa, died on Friday.

‘This week, heaven gained two angels,’ Jocelyn Espinoza wrote on GoFundMe.

‘On Wednesday, December 23rd, Itzell and today Friday, December 25th, Jerry.

‘Words can’t explain the pain the mother is going through.

‘She lost two kids within a span of 2 days. Now she has to plan two funerals.’

Josh Espinal posted a photo of paramedics attending a property on Friday, and captioned that Figueroa had died.

‘Please keep this family in prayers,’ Espinal wrote in the caption.  

A friend of the family posted another GoFundMe saying that Itzell's brother, Gerardo 'Jerry' Figueroa, died on Christmas Day, two days after his sister was killed

A friend of the family posted another GoFundMe saying that Itzell’s brother, Gerardo ‘Jerry’ Figueroa, died on Christmas Day, two days after his sister was killed

Espinal posted an image of an ambulance on Friday, saying Jerry had passed away

Espinal posted an image of an ambulance on Friday, saying Jerry had passed away

In an expletive-filled caption, Espinal expressed anger at Dominguez.

‘Two years ago on the 23rd of this month I started dating Itzell Destiny Sanchez and now two years later on the 23rd yesterday her life got taken from by her weak b**** a** n**** Norge Dominguez,’ he wrote.

Espinal said that ‘toxic a** relationships aint worth it, read the signs, no b**** should ever lay hands on you, and I say b**** cuz he aint no man, get balls and fight a n**** we hit back.’

Gabriela Fajardo, a woman who identifies herself as a friend of Itzell Sanchez, also took to Facebook on Wednesday and accused Dominguez of abusing and killing his girlfriend.

‘Lady’s I beg ya please be aware of ya surroundings see the signs listen to the ppl that love ya !!’ Fajardo wrote.

‘My baby my love was taken away from us this morning. I we will never see her again and all because of a jealous manipulative b*** Norge Dominguez.’ 

source: dailymail.co.uk