Posted on 08/10/2013 12:44:22 PM PDT by Bullish
FONTANA -- One of two men suspected in the kidnapping and killing of a Fontana man committed suicide at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday, police said.
San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies contacted Fontana police after Richard Gonzales, 18, of Fontana had apparently hanged himself in his cell at 6:50 p.m.
"Deputies were notified by Gonzales' cell mate that he was hanging from a bed sheet and unresponsive," said San Bernardino County sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Bachman.
He was pronounced dead at 7:15 p.m. at San Antonio Community Hospital in Upland. Foul play is not suspected.
It was one of several updates in the slaying of Alejandro Padilla that Fontana police discussed during a news conference Thursday at Fontana Police Department.
Padilla, 40, was attacked and kidnapped from the front of his home in the 6800 block of Beechcraft Avenue on July 26. His body was found in a burning car less than six miles from his home.
Police on Tuesday arrested Gonzales, Edward Anthony Morales, 18, and Morales' mother, Alma Quezada, 37, of Fontana in the case. Detectives have also arrested 17-year-old boy, identified in a criminal complaint as Victor Morales, but declined to say how he is connected to the other suspects.
Officers say Quezada and Victor Morales are being held on suspicion of accessory to murder, meaning they helped Gonzales and Morales after the crime.
Police initially mentioned that Edward Morales had dated Padilla's daughter and knew his family, but that connection has not yet been considered a motive in the crime.
"That provided the knowledge of the family's routine," said Fontana police Sgt. Doug Imhof.
With that knowledge, police say Gonzales and Morales knew when they'd be able to grab Padilla.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office charged Gonzales and Morales with murder, robbery, kidnapping and carjacking on Thursday. They charged Quezada and Victor Morales with accessory.
The suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges in Fontana Superior Court and are scheduled to return to court Aug. 16.
Imhof said Gonzales' death shouldn't have a negative impact on the case.
"It shouldn't affect us in any way," he said.
adill
I don't feel one bit sorry for this POS that hung himself.
Thanks to everyone who has had kind words to say for Alex Padilla and his family during this difficult time.
I met Alex once or twice and my brother knew him and his family very well. He was a super nice and decent family man.
The article states they don't think it was connected to Morales being his daughters' boyfriend but that's exactly what everyone that knows them thinks at this point. They knew Morales for a couple years and Alex didn't want this little punk around his daughter anymore. He had just taken out a restraining order against him just prior to the murder.
Thanks for the continuing updates. Interesting that he had a cell mate but still managed to commit suicide
All I feel is happy that the community will save money on trying and executing this vile and evil creature.
Now if the others would just do the same.....
I just hope he confessed to his and the others rolls in this murder before he offed himself so it can be used against the others at trial.
I suspect that a lot of these guys who hang in prison don’t do it to themselves.
a written statement (or better video taped) would be excellent.
If I were Morales I would find it pretty hard to sleep at night.
Padilla may not have had connections, Per say, but I’m pretty sure some of his motorcycle riding buddies did and he was very well liked, even loved like a brother by many of them.
While I’m just speculating here, and I have no personal knowledge, but it does seem rather weird that he could hang himself when he had a cellmate.
All interrogations would have been videotaped and if he confessed, that’s what we’re hoping for.
that seems to be the routine these days (for the last several decades anyway). Prevents claims of abuse
Nor do I.
Thank you Mr. Gonzales for saving me and other taxpayers a bunch of money. Maybe your fellow perp, Mr. Morales, will also get a clue.
Man, this story keeps taking interesting turns!
Thank you for keeping us posted!
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