Ricki Lee White, 38, was found dead in a decomposing state inside a car in Roosevelt County, New Mexico, on May 11, 2026. Vincent James Galvan, 38, her on-again, off-again boyfriend, was arrested after a multi-county and multi-state police chase and shootout. Galvan faces charges including murder, tampering with evidence, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle. Two other persons of interest, Mercedes Salazar and Matt Pena, remain wanted. White and Galvan had a sometimes-violent relationship over several years, with police called multiple times for domestic incidents. White was described as a fiercely independent woman who struggled with personal demons and drug issues. The investigation is ongoing.
Country: United States
State/Province: New Mexico, United States
City/Region: Roosevelt County
Incident Type: Murder
Relationship Status: Dating
Relationship Duration: On/off for several years
Incident Date: May 11, 2026
Relationship Origins:
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How the relationship or connection began.
On/off for several years
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
2026-05-11
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
Original language: English
1 arrested after shootout, police chase; 2 wanted in connection with decomposing body
Domestic Violence
The relationship between Ricki Lee White and Vincent James Galvan was characterized by on-again, off-again dating with episodes of domestic violence and police involvement. The conflict escalated to a fatal shooting, with Galvan fleeing and engaging in a police chase and shootout. Drug use and personal struggles further complicated the relationship dynamics.
Vincent Galvan was arrested and charged with murder and related felonies. Two other persons of interest, Mercedes Salazar and Matt Pena, remain wanted. Police recovered the decomposing body of Ricki Lee White in a car. The investigation is ongoing with efforts to locate the remaining suspects. The case involves multi-jurisdictional coordination across New Mexico and Texas.
Initial confusion involved multiple persons of interest and a man questioned and released. The exact roles of Mercedes Salazar and Matt Pena remain unclear. The timeline of the relationship's status at the time of death is somewhat uncertain.
Ricki Lee White was found dead on May 11, 2026, in Roosevelt County, NM. Vincent Galvan, her on/off boyfriend, fled from police in a stolen vehicle, fired shots at deputies, and was arrested after a multi-county and multi-state chase and shootout. Galvan was charged with murder and other felonies. Two other persons of interest remain at large. White had a history of domestic incidents with Galvan, and the relationship was reportedly off at the time of her death. Friends describe White as a fiercely independent woman with personal struggles.
High risk due to history of domestic violence, firearm use, and escalation to lethal violence. The suspect's flight and violent resistance to police indicate significant danger.
Domestic violence relationships with on/off patterns can escalate to lethal outcomes. Early police involvement and multiple domestic calls indicate high risk. Flight and violent resistance by suspects complicate investigations. Drug use and personal struggles may exacerbate relationship instability.
Multiple police calls for domestic situations and a history of on-again, off-again violent relationship.
Police chase, shooting at deputies, and the discovery of the decomposing body in a car linked to the suspect.
Decomposing body found in vehicle, police chase and shootout, arrest and charges against Vincent Galvan.
Friends described Ricki White as a fiercely independent woman with a complicated life and history of domestic issues with Galvan. Police reported multiple domestic calls from White. No direct eyewitness statements to the homicide reported.
Subsequent reports confirmed murder charges against Galvan and identified two additional persons of interest still wanted. No charges filed against others as of last report.
The involvement and roles of Mercedes Salazar and Matt Pena remain unclear. The exact circumstances and timeline of the homicide are not fully detailed.