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A Texas dad who stabbed and decapitated his three young children more than 20 years ago — blaming it on them being “possessed by evil spirits” — is finally set to be executed this week.
John Allen Rubio, 45, is set to die by lethal injection in Texas on Thursday for the 2003 murder of Julissa Quesada, 3, John Esteban Rubio, 14 months, and Mary Jane Rubio, 2 months.
After the savage killings, he forced the kids’ mom to have sex with him — then told cops, “I know I did something bad but I rather my children be dead than be possessed.”
Rubio was sentenced to death for the triple murder in 2003, but the ruling was overturned by a Texas court in 2007.
KRGV
He was retried in 2010, but sentenced to death again after being found guilty for a second time of capital murder.
Rubio’s appeal to stop his execution was denied in October 2026, and the date for his execution was set for November 12.
Rubio’s girlfriend at the time and the mother of all three children, Angela Camacho, is currently serving three consecutive life terms for her role in the murders.
According to court filings, only the youngest child was Rubio’s biological child, but he reportedly treated the other two stepchildren as his own, as per court filings.
The couple had reportedly been living on the streets when Camacho was pregnant with their youngest child, with Child Protection Services removing Julissa and John from their care for a period and placing them with Camacho’s mother.
Rubio had suggested murdering Julissa and John after moving into an apartment in Texas with no running water or electricity, which Camacho dismissed, thinking he was joking.
In March 2003, he first stabbed and beheaded Julissa Quesada, 3, and 2-month-old Mary Jane Rubio, with Camacho’s assistance.
He then declared he also had to kill 14-month-old baby, John.
According to court documents, after committing the horrific crime, he forced Camacho to have sex with him.
Rubio’s brother discovered the children’s slain bodies after visiting his brother, calling the police.
Rubio surrendered, telling police, “[J]ust arrest me I know I did something bad but I rather my children be dead than be possessed.”
Rubio’s execution is set to take place at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Huntsville Unit.
