A grandmother, mother, and toddler were knifed to death inside a California home, with law enforcement still trying to determine what led to the heinous triple stabbing.
Victims Identified
Fabiola Gonzalez–Nunez, 23, her two–week–old son Mateo Gonzalez, and her 54–year–old mother Maria Sylvia Nunez–Villalobos were killed around 9:20 a.m. Thursday in Modesto, about 90 miles east of San Francisco. The Modesto Police Department said the triple homicide occurred in the 1600 block of Monterey Avenue.
Suspect Arrested
Joaquin Escoto, 28, was found hiding inside a nearby residence and arrested for the killings. Investigators believe he was in a relationship with Gonzalez–Nuñez, though the exact nature remains unclear. Escoto, a Mexican migrant, is thought to have lived in the home with the victims. Another child, a 3–year–old, was found inside the residence and taken to the hospital for evaluation. Escoto was identified as the father of that child, who was unharmed; custody was subsequently assumed by Child Protective Services.
Prior Deportations and Sanctuary Laws
Escoto, born in Jalisco, had been deported from the US three times prior to the alleged triple homicide, according to the California Post. He was most recently arrested for a DUI in June but released despite Immigration and Customs Enforcement seeking his deportation. Escoto was able to remain in California because of its sanctuary laws, which limit state and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Investigation Details
Upon responding to the home, police found Gonzalez–Nuñez had been stabbed multiple times. She was declared dead at the scene. Officers then found Nuñez–Villalobos and the baby Mateo. Nuñez–Villalobos was also pronounced dead, while the infant was rushed to a local hospital but later died from stab wounds. Gonzalez–Nuñez was the mother of the infant, and Nuñez–Villalobos was his grandmother.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Escoto faces three counts of murder, special circumstance enhancements, and using a deadly weapon. He also had an outstanding arrest warrant related to a prior DUI. He has been booked into the Stanislaus County Jail without bail.
Community Response
A GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral and counseling expenses described the deaths as a heartbreaking loss. Nuñez–Villalobos was remembered as a cherished grandmother who loved her family deeply, while Gonzalez–Nuñez was honored as a devoted mother whose love for her children was endless. Toddler Mateo was remembered as a precious baby whose smile brought happiness. As of Saturday, about $30,500 had been raised.
A family member, who identified himself only as Javier, expressed devastation but also relief at Escoto's arrest. You can't really do anything to bring them back, but we just know that he's going to be in there for a long time, suffering, thinking about what he did, he told KCRA 3. That's what's going to be killing him.
