Investigation continues into alleged Monrovia strangling
MONROVIA -- Detectives continued to investigate and build a murder case Sunday against a man who sheriff's officials said strangled his girlfriend in a pickup truck, then drove her body to the Monrovia Police Department and confessed.
Guillermo Marinero, 28, got into an argument with his girlfriend, 28-year-old Theresa Cardoza, while the two were sitting in a pickup truck parked near their home on Myrtle Avenue in and unincorporated county area near Monrovia, Detective Jeffrey Leslie of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau said.
"He seemed to be remorseful," the detective said of Marinero when he showed up at the Monrovia police station, 140 E. Lime Avenue, and told them he thought he "may have" killed his girlfriend.
Marinero remained behind bars at the sheriff's Temple Station jail Sunday in lieu of $1 million bail, according to sheriff's booking records.
Though the suspect told officials he strangled Cardoza, Leslie said investigators are awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine the official cause of death.
Coroner's officials said an autopsy was scheduled for Sunday, however officials were not able to provide an update Sunday afternoon.
Marinero and Cardoza had been romantically involved for about four years and had lived together for the past two or three, Leslie said. They had no children.
Cardoza worked at a local McDonald's restaurant, he said, while Marinero worked in construction.
Leslie added there did not appear to be any history of domestic violence between the couple, and that Marinero did not appear to have a criminal record.
It was not clear Sunday what Marinero and Cardoza may have been arguing about leading up to the killing, the detective said.
"Obviously, I have his side (of the story)," Leslie said, but he declined to comment on Marinero's statements until he could investigate further.
While it is not unheard of for suspected killers to turn themselves in after a suspected slaying, Leslie said it's not common.
"I've been doing this for 10 years, and this is the first one I've had," he said.
According to booking records, Marinero is due in Alhambra Superior Court Tuesday for arraignment.
Guillermo Marinero, 28, got into an argument with his girlfriend, 28-year-old Theresa Cardoza, while the two were sitting in a pickup truck parked near their home on Myrtle Avenue in and unincorporated county area near Monrovia, Detective Jeffrey Leslie of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau said.
"He seemed to be remorseful," the detective said of Marinero when he showed up at the Monrovia police station, 140 E. Lime Avenue, and told them he thought he "may have" killed his girlfriend.
Marinero remained behind bars at the sheriff's Temple Station jail Sunday in lieu of $1 million bail, according to sheriff's booking records.
Though the suspect told officials he strangled Cardoza, Leslie said investigators are awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine the official cause of death.
Coroner's officials said an autopsy was scheduled for Sunday, however officials were not able to provide an update Sunday afternoon.
Marinero and Cardoza had been romantically involved for about four years and had lived together for the past two or three, Leslie said. They had no children.
Cardoza worked at a local McDonald's restaurant, he said, while Marinero worked in construction.
Leslie added there did not appear to be any history of domestic violence between the couple, and that Marinero did not appear to have a criminal record.
It was not clear Sunday what Marinero and Cardoza may have been arguing about leading up to the killing, the detective said.
"Obviously, I have his side (of the story)," Leslie said, but he declined to comment on Marinero's statements until he could investigate further.
While it is not unheard of for suspected killers to turn themselves in after a suspected slaying, Leslie said it's not common.
"I've been doing this for 10 years, and this is the first one I've had," he said.
According to booking records, Marinero is due in Alhambra Superior Court Tuesday for arraignment.
CONTRIBUTORS
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| Frank Girardot, Metro Editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspapers, brings you behind the yellow tape with takes on true crime, cold cases and more. This is also your forum to discuss crime, its impact on your neighborhood and how we cover it. Have any questions or tips? You can leave a comment here or e-mail Frank. |
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Brian Day is the crime reporter for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper group. E-mail Brian. |
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