In a heartbreaking incident just days before the holiday season, a mother and her son were brutally murdered in their apartment in Stockton, California. The victims, 43-year-old Alicia Montejano and her 19-year-old son Reuel Huerta, were discovered by Montejano’s daughter after she had not been able to reach them for an entire day.
The primary suspect in the case is 38-year-old Julio Caesar Valdez, who is believed to have left the victims in the apartment before escaping in a gray four-door sedan. Valdez, who was reportedly in a relationship with Montejano, has been characterized as dangerous by the bereaved family, who have disclosed his history of past abuses.
While it is yet to be confirmed whether a restraining order was active against Valdez, law enforcement officials have confirmed that he did not break into the apartment. The grim discovery of the bodies was made by Montejano’s daughter, Marissa Vigil, who alerted the authorities late on Monday night.
Vigil, still reeling from the horrific scene, remembered her mother as a person who could always bring laughter and smiles. She referred to her mother as her closest confidant. The family is now grappling with the loss of Montejano and Huerta, who they say were “senselessly taken too soon.”
Huerta was found with a laceration, which is believed to have led to his death, pending further autopsy results. The state of Montejano’s body has not yet been revealed by the police. The family, unable to celebrate the holiday season due to the tragedy, is seeking justice for their loved ones.
Raul Huerta, Reuel’s father, remembered his son as a compassionate individual who had a passion for computers. He expressed his sorrow over the loss, stating that neither his son nor Montejano deserved such a fate.
The family has established a GoFundMe page to raise funds for funeral expenses, remembering Montejano and Huerta as individuals who brought joy to those around them and shared an unbreakable family bond. Meanwhile, the Stockton Police Department has initiated a homicide investigation into the case and is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to Valdez’s capture.