Career
She was kidnapped in December 1967, and was found dead on January 11, 1968 by a bridge near Escuintla, Guatemala. Her association with Johnson was the most likely cause for her murder. Cruz"s murder was quite visible to the world and resulted in a series of retaliatory murders.
She was originally arrested for a traffic violation, but was released due to threats made by the PGT and the Fuerzas Armadas Rebeldes (FAR) on the judge presiding over the case.
She disappeared after being released, and was not seen again until her naked corpse was foundation She had been brutally tortured and raped.
The PGT retaliated by attacking a group of United States military personnel, killing two and wounding a third. The Guatemalan military responded by assassinating Johnson.