In today’s world, many Filipinos dream of raising their children abroad, seeking better opportunities and quality of life than what they perceive is available back home.

The Dormitorio couple from Bacolod embodied this aspiration, working tirelessly after immigrating to the United States. Their hard work paid off, allowing them to provide a comfortable life for their children.

Their daughter, Jennifer, known as Jen, was born in Dearborn, Michigan, on April 17, 1980. A son followed, completing their family.

Though far from relatives, the Dormitorios integrated into the vibrant Filipino community in Detroit, ensuring Jen and her brother stayed connected to their roots.

Jen’s cousin, Sandra Go, fondly remembered Jen welcoming her to the US, showing her around, and introducing her to American life, highlighting Jen’s outgoing and warm personality.

Jen attended Plymouth-Canton High School and later the University of Michigan before becoming a certified nurse. She was known for her dedication to helping others, a trait inherited from her community-involved parents.

During a charity event, a friend introduced Jen to Ryan Ambrosio. Ryan, born June 29, 1978, though ethnically Filipino, considered himself a Michigander.

He grew up in a supportive family; his father was a dialysis technician, and his mother a former bank executive. Their strong work ethic deeply influenced Ryan.

He graduated cum laude from the University of Detroit Mercy and quickly rose through the ranks at Accenture, becoming a manager by 23 due to his intelligence and people skills.

Jen and Ryan clicked instantly. Both successful professionals in their prime, they shared a love for sports (especially University of Michigan teams and the Detroit Pistons), family gatherings, and their Catholic faith.

Jen’s parents adored Ryan, approving wholeheartedly when he asked for her hand in marriage. Ryan proposed inside Assumption Grotto church in Detroit on September 8, 2012.

Nine months later, they married at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, celebrating with Filipino food and traditions, blending their heritage with their American lives.

They settled in Farmington Hills, a wealthy suburban area, ready to start the large family they dreamed of. Their deep faith remained central to their lives.

Their prayers were answered abundantly. Jen, despite the challenges of balancing work and motherhood in the US, became a devoted mother to six children: Emilia, Maria Grace, Faustina, Benedict, Rafael, and Julian.

The children attended Our Lady of Sorrows, a classical homeschool hybrid academy, allowing Jen to remain deeply involved in their education while working.

Friends and fellow churchgoers admired Jen’s ability to juggle her career, motherhood, and marriage, describing the Ambrosio children as exceptionally well-mannered.

On January 5, 2024, Jen and Ryan, after long work weeks, decided to go on a much-needed date night. They left their children with family, promising to return.

Around 1:30 AM on January 6th, their parents received a devastating phone call. It wasn’t Jen or Ryan; it was the Oakland Police Department.

The news was unthinkable: Ryan, 45, and Jen, 43, were gone. They were pronounced de@d at the scene of a horrific car crash. It was not an accident.

Messages of condolence flooded social media as the community reeled from the shock. The immediate focus shifted to the six young children, now orphaned.

Family members rallied, setting up a GoFundMe page to secure the children’s future. The response was overwhelming, quickly surpassing its goal, a testament to the love and respect the community held for Jen and Ryan.

On January 10th, friends and family gathered for the couple’s wake, grappling with the sudden, violent loss. Investigators confirmed they had apprehended the suspect responsible.

He was identified as Angel Melendez-Ortiz, 35, from nearby Romulus, Michigan. Ortiz was arrested after seeking treatment at a hospital for injuries sustained in the crash. Hospital staff, following protocol, alerted police due to his suspicious wounds.

Ortiz was charged with two counts of second-degree unlawful passing and multiple other felonies, including vehicle theft, driving without a license, and fleeing authorities.

Police were familiar with Ortiz; he was a repeat offender. In 2021, he was caught with narcotics but skipped court after posting $1,000 bail. A bench warrant was issued.

In 2023, despite the outstanding warrant, he was arrested again, this time for armed robbery. His lawyer convinced the judge his failure to appear in 2021 was due to homelessness.

Later in 2023, Ortiz was arrested again for attempted theft. Inexplicably, despite his growing record and failure to appear, another judge granted him bail, this time for just $500 (around PHP 25,000).

While out on bail awaiting trial for multiple charges, Ortiz continued his criminal activity. On the evening of January 5, 2024, he stole a 2006 Ford Super Duty pickup truck.

The owner reported the theft immediately, and police began searching for the stolen vehicle.

Around the same time, Jen and Ryan Ambrosio were driving home on the M-10 highway (the Lodge Freeway) in their 2011 GMC Terrain, just minutes from their Farmington Hills house.

Ortiz, fleeing police in the stolen heavy-duty truck at speeds reportedly exceeding 100 mph, made a desperate maneuver. He turned off the truck’s headlights and swerved across the median into the wrong lane – directly into the path of the Ambrosios’ SUV.

The impact was devastating. The massive pickup truck obliterated the smaller SUV. Jen and Ryan had no chance; they were gone instantly.

Ortiz didn’t stop. Despite the catastrophic collision, he managed to drive the damaged truck away, evading police who were distracted by the horrific scene they discovered.

The bodies of Jen and Ryan were laid to rest at Parkview Memorial Cemetery in Livonia, Michigan. Their families remained private, focusing on the welfare of the six children.

In April 2024, friends reported the GoFundMe had raised over $722,000, which would be placed in a trust fund for the children’s future needs.

On June 27, 2025, Angel Melendez-Ortiz pleaded “no contest” to the charges against him. At the sentencing, emotional victim impact statements were read.

Family members spoke of their unending grief and the void left in the children’s lives. An 81-year-old relative lamented, “These children were robbed of an entire lifetime of experiences… I will suffer from this terrible crime for the rest of my life.”

Ortiz was sentenced to serve multiple decades in prison, reportedly totaling over 70 years, likely ensuring he will spend the rest of his life incarcerated.