Jose Carmen Cardona, 59, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the brutal murders of his ex-girlfriend, Lizbeth Gutierrez-Salazar, and her two young sons, Julian Cardona-Gutierrez, 10, and Juan Gutierrez-Salazar, 7. The victims were discovered by Stockton, California, fire department personnel responding to a residential fire on June 25, 2024. The fire was later determined to have been set intentionally, and the three victims died as a result of the blaze. Cardona was identified as the suspect shortly after the crime, and he was apprehended two-and-a-half weeks later.
Details of the Murders and Cardona’s Actions
Investigators revealed that Lizbeth and Cardona had been in a relationship for two years before the murders. On the night before the fire, Lizbeth ended the relationship, which led to Cardona threatening her life. In the early hours of the following morning, Lizbeth fled her home with her three children and sought refuge at her father’s place. However, Cardona followed them. A 14-year-old survivor woke up to noises inside the house, saw Cardona, and heard his mother screaming. The survivor then witnessed the house being set on fire. In addition to the three murder charges, Cardona was also charged with attempted murder, child endangerment, arson, and vandalism.
Cardona Pleads Guilty and Receives Life Sentence
On February 24, 2026, Cardona pled guilty to multiple charges, including three counts of premeditated first-degree murder, murder by torture, murder by arson, and other offenses. His actions made him eligible for the death penalty, but instead, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole. The tragic incident, which also resulted in the destruction of a nearby home, has left the surviving teen with lasting trauma. The case serves as a grim reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence.
