A grieving mother found comfort in learning her daughter's killer was set to be executed in Texas on her slain daughter's birthday.
"When they told me June 26, I started crying, crying, and crying," said Patricia Townsend.
"That's her birthday."
"He doesn't deserve mercy," Townsend told USA TODAY, adding that she would be among the witnesses present and that it would be a "joyful occasion" for her family.
Ramiro Gonzalez, 41, was executed by lethal injection on Wednesday evening, marking the second inmate to be put to death in the state of Texas this year and eighth overall in the nation.
Gonzalez was convicted of the rape and murder of 18-year-old Bridget Townsend, who was only just getting her start in life, working full-time, and waiting to hear back on school applications.
"I can't put into words the pain I have caused y'all, the hurt, and what I took away that I cannot give back," Gonzales told the Townsends shortly before execution.
The killer mentioned to the family that he used the time he had left on earth to take responsibility for his actions in an attempt to "give it all back" and that he loved the Townsends.
"I never stopped praying for all of you. I never stopped praying that you would forgive me and that one day I would have this opportunity to apologize. I owe all of you my life, and I hope one day you will forgive me," Gonzales said.
"To all your family, I'm sorry."
He also thanked his family and friends for the support they've given him over the years before giving his last words.
"God bless you all. Warden, I'm ready."
Texas executed Gonzales for a crime he committed as an 18-year-old, Gonzales' lawyers told USA TODAY after his death.
"The man put to death for those acts was a different person."
Gonzales allegedly struggled as an abused and neglected child and teenager, never knowing the "tools, support, or guidance" that many take for granted, which Gonzales's legal team tried to justify.
"The Ramiro" who left the world was a "deeply spiritual, generous, patient, and intentional person, full of remorse, someone whose driving force was love," the lawyers continued.
Bridget Townsend was spending the night at her boyfriend Joe Leal's house the night Ramiro Gonzales appeared.
Leal dealt drugs, and Gonzales went to his house to steal cocaine and found Bridget there alone.
After stealing some cash, Bridget tried to contact Leal.
That's when Gonzales overpowered her, tied her up, and drove her to his grandfather's ranch, where he raped and shot her before dumping her body in a field, according to court records.
For nearly two years, no one but Gonzales knew what happened to Bridget.
While serving a life sentence for the rape and kidnapping of another woman, Gonzales decided to confess to killing Bridget and led authorities to her remains in a field in Bandera, a small town northwest of San Antonio.
Townsend told USA TODAY that Gonzales' childhood "should not have anything to do with it."
"I know a lot of people who had a hard childhood," she said on Saturday, four days ahead of the execution.
"He made his choice."
"She was a beautiful person who loved life and loved people," Townsend described her daughter.
"She didn't deserve what she got."
