Man charged with murder for allegedly stabbing girlfriend in front of her children

A Simi Valley man has been charged with killing his girlfriend, who authorities say was stabbed to death in front of her own children.

Ramon Joseph Rivas, 34, was charged with murder and two counts of child endangerment, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office said.

Rivas is accused of stabbing his girlfriend, Jessica Marie Tinoco, last week during a domestic dispute at her home in Simi Valley.

Tinoco, who loved ones said was a mother to five children, was stabbed multiple times in the front of her home in front of several of her children. The children, authorities said, had fled to the front of the home and called 911 after Rivas arrived and allegedly began attacking their mother.

Officers from the Simi Valley Police Department arrived on scene and arrested Rivas without incident.

As they entered the home, they found Tinoco suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was transported to a nearby hospital and was pronounced dead from her injuries.

Rivas made his first appearance in Ventura County Superior Court on Monday, and his arraignment was continued to Oct. 30.

He currently remains in custody without bail.

On Monday, more than 100 people attended a vigil to remember Tinoco, who they said had a “pure soul,” and whose biggest flaw was that she cared too much about those who did not deserve her affection.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office encourages anyone who is a victim or survivor of domestic violence who is need of help to connect with a victim advocate at the Ventura County Family Justice Center in Ventura.

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