Missing Grandmother Found Dead; Son Charged with Murder

A grandmother from California went missing after she didn’t arrive to pick up her grandchild, prompting a desperate search by her family. Tragically, a few days later, her body was discovered in her car, parked at a church lot, leading to a murder charge against her son.

The son, Emanuel Wesley, 23, from Santa Ana, has been charged with killing his 61-year-old mother, Teresa Jones. Prosecutors allege that on July 4, Wesley shot her twice in the back while she was sitting in his car outside the Fullerton Police Department. Afterward, he reportedly moved her body into the passenger seat and drove away.

Jones was reported missing on July 7 when she failed to pick up her grandchild and didn’t respond to repeated calls from family members.

Four days later, police found her body inside her abandoned vehicle in Fullerton. Investigators indicated she had been shot twice, and surveillance footage allegedly captured the events surrounding her death.

The video supposedly shows Jones arriving at the police department with Wesley in the back seat. Moments later, she slumped over in the driver’s seat; Wesley then hopped into the front seat and drove off.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer expressed the gravity of the situation, noting that “any human death is a tragedy,” particularly emphasizing the severity of a son killing his own mother.

After her death, Jones’ family described her as a devoted individual whose faith played a significant role in her life. They shared that she loved her family deeply, always prioritizing their needs above her own. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help cover funeral expenses. In their notes, they reflected on the family’s heartbreak, especially during the search for her after she didn’t show up as expected.

Wesley has pleaded not guilty and is being held in the Orange County Jail without bail. If convicted of murder and firearm charges, he could face a sentence of up to 50 years to life in prison.