The bodies of a California mother of three and her 19-year-old son were discovered by her daughter just days before the family was planning to celebrate Christmas.
On December 23, Alicia Montejano, 43, and her son Leel Huerta were found severely assaulted inside an apartment complex in the 2500 block of Bellevue Avenue in Stockton, California.
Stockton police said Julio Cesar Valdez, 38, is suspected of leaving her battered body in an apartment about 81 miles south of Sacramento and fleeing the area in a gray four-door sedan. It is.
Montejano's boyfriend, Valdez, had been described as dangerous after the alleged victim's grieving family revealed the murder suspect's shady past, including past abuse. KCRA reported.
It is unclear whether a restraining order has been issued against Valdez, but police say he did not force his way into the apartment.
Montejano's daughter made the horrifying discovery after not hearing from her mother and brother all day.
“I found them,” said Montejano's daughter Marissa Vigil. told ABC10. “I couldn't believe it. It felt like death at that moment. I couldn't breathe and I still can't get the picture out of my head.”
“She always has a smile on your face and always makes you laugh no matter what,” she added. “I was her best friend.”
On Monday around 11 p.m., Vigil called 911.
Montejano and Huerta were pronounced dead inside the apartment.
Huerta's body was found with lacerations, but police have not yet released the condition of Montejano's body pending autopsy results.
“The man had lacerations that appear to be the cause of death, pending further autopsy. As for the woman, there were no gunshot wounds or other injuries,” the Stockton Police Department told KCRA.
The family said Montejano and Huerta were unable to celebrate Christmas because of the murders, saying it was “unnecessarily premature.”
“The pain is getting worse and worse,” Vigil said. “I can’t sleep, I can’t eat, and I’m crazy.”
Huerta's father said his son didn't ask for many gifts for the holidays because he was obsessed with computers, as the heartbroken father wanted justice for his son.
“Neither of us deserved this,” Raul Huerta told ABC10. “We need justice. He had the biggest heart. He would never hurt anyone.”
Montejano and Huerta were given emotional eulogies by their families.
“Together they brought joy to everyone around them and shared a family with a bond that will never be broken,” the family said. What GoFundMe is all about to collect funeral expenses.
Stockton police have opened a homicide investigation into the killing and are offering a $10,000 reward for information about Valdez.
