A California man, upset after being dumped by his girlfriend, broke into her father’s home and set it on fire, killing her and her two sons, ages 7 and 10. Jose Carmen Cardona pleaded guilty on Monday to three counts of first-degree murder and other charges, including attempted murder, child abuse, arson, and vandalism. He was sentenced to life in prison for the deaths of Lizbeth Gutierrez-Salazar, 32, and her sons Juan Gutierrez-Salazar, 10, and Julian Cardona-Gutierrez, 7.
Details of the Crime and Victim’s Actions
Gutierrez-Salazar had ended her relationship with Cardona on June 24, 2024. After Cardona threatened to kill her, she took her three sons to her father’s trailer in Stockton, California, where they spent the night. The next morning, on June 25, 2024, a fire broke out in the trailer. Firefighters found Gutierrez-Salazar, Juan, and Julian dead inside after they extinguished the blaze.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Gutierrez-Salazar’s surviving son, then 14, told investigators he was awakened by a noise and saw Cardona inside the home. He ran after him and saw the house engulfed in flames. Detectives later identified Cardona as the suspect and arrested him on July 11, 2024. San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas expressed that Cardona’s guilty plea ensured he would face severe consequences for his actions, and the victims’ family was consulted in reaching the sentencing conclusion.
