The body of a 19-year-old woman, who had been missing following an armed abduction in Whittier, California, was discovered in a field in Moreno Valley.
On Monday, August 21, Gabriel Esparza, a 20-year-old resident of Whittier, was arrested at his workplace in connection with the death of Andrea Vazquez, whose body was located later that same day.
The Whittier Police Department reported that Vazquez and her boyfriend were ambushed by an armed suspect while parked at Penn Park on Sunday night. The boyfriend managed to escape, but when he returned, Vazquez was gone. This incident spurred an extensive search, leading to the discovery of Vazquez’s remains in a field overgrown with vegetation. Law enforcement also recovered the alleged firearm used in the crime.
Esparza has been charged with multiple offenses, including murder, attempted murder, and kidnapping with intent to commit rape, among others.
During his court appearance, Esparza pleaded not guilty.
Vazquez’s family and the community gathered for a vigil to remember her. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to assist her family during this challenging time.
