BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Months after 31-year-old Ariana Rangel Ortega was found dead in southwest Bakersfield in July 2026, Alfonso Rosales-Ortiz has been arrested in connection with her killing.
31-year-old Ariana Rangel Ortega was found dead in southwest Bakersfield in July 2026, Alfonso Rosales-Ortiz has been arrested in connection with her killing.
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An autopsy found Ortega died from strangulation and blunt force injuries. Her family said there had been alleged domestic violence in the relationship for years leading up to her death.
Ortega’s sister, Areli Rangel Ortega, said the family tried to step in but faced barriers. “In July, yeah, my niece called me She told me that there was a lot of police, that her mom was hurt and when I got there, she was my sister. She had like bruises in the face and he tried to choke her that day,” she said.
The family remembers Ortega as a loving sister and mother, but her sister said she was struggling behind closed doors. Court records confirm that in 2023 Ortega and Rosales-Ortiz had allegedly been dealing with domestic violence, and her sister said the abuse escalated over time.
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Lauren Skidmore, CEO of the Open Door Network, said escalation can follow a pattern. “There is essentially something we call the cycle of violence. And so violence is going to happen. The incident is going to happen. Then you’re going to recover. You’re going to maybe separate from that individual for a period of time. And then you go right back into the honeymoon period to where that person is probably apologizing, telling you they’re never going to do it again. And then the cycle continues,” Skidmore said.
Areli Rangel Ortega said the abuse began when Ariana was 16 and first got pregnant by Ortiz. She also alleged Ariana was prevented from finishing high school, getting a job or pursuing things for herself, and said she was expected to primarily do house work. She said the family tried to support Ariana as much as they could without causing further problems for her.
Skidmore said isolation can be a warning sign. “You’ll notice that maybe friends or family that are in a DV relationship are starting to isolate,” she said.
Areli Rangel Ortega said the family faced strict conditions on when they could visit Ariana, set by Ortiz. Skidmore said leaving can be especially dangerous. “Leaving is obviously a very difficult decision for any victim. And sometimes it is the most dangerous portion of the violence relationship and situation,” she said.
Ortega’s death leaves behind her 13-year-old daughter. Areli Rangel Ortega said she is worried about her niece, who is now living with her father’s family. “Right now, she’s with the dad’s family, and she’s vulnerable at this time,” she said.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence can contact the Open Door Network at opendoorhelps.org or the National Domestic Violence 24-hour hotline at 1-800-799-7233.