Suspect enters guilty plea agreement for his part in 2025 murder of Kristina Ortiz

St. Joseph County Jail: Nicholas Fairchild

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A man entered a guilty agreement for his part in the June 2025 murder of 37-year-old Kristina Ortiz, according to St. Joseph County court documents.

Nicholas Fairchild was charged with one count of Assisting a Criminal — Criminal Committed Murder.

Fairchild entered into the agreement on Thursday, and his sentencing has been scheduled for May 22.

On June 7, officers with the South Bend Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at the 500 block of Wagner Street.

Upon arrival, police located Ortiz suffering from a gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

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