In San Diego, California, the mystery surrounding the disappearance of a couple days before Christmas has been resolved.
Johnny and Melissa Soto, aged 52 and 45, were last seen on the evening of December 20, 2023. Their children, alarmed by their sudden absence, reported them missing.
The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) disclosed that on December 26, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol discovered a car in the parking lot of Campo’s Golden Acorn Casino. Inside the vehicle were the deceased bodies of Johnny and Melissa Soto, as confirmed by family members.
Johnny’s death has been classified as suicide due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, while Melissa’s cause of death was strangulation. It is being treated as a homicide with her husband as the sole suspect.
The couple, who had been married for 20 years but separated since July, left behind three adult children.
Their youngest son, Vincent remarked that it was a normal night when he last saw his parents. His dad had been watching TV, and his mother drove up in her car. The couple had requested privacy for a conversation, after which Vincent received a text from his father indicating that they had left the house.
This was the last communication from the parents. Concerned by their prolonged absence, the children contacted the police and reached out to their aunt, Christina Sandoval.
Sandoval reported that the Soto’s had left with no personal belongings, including clothes, phones, and wallets.
Surveillance footage from a neighbor’s camera captured their last moments at their home, showing Melissa’s car arriving and Johnny moving back and forth to the car around 10:30 p.m. before driving off.
Family members noted that they maintained a cordial relationship despite their separation.
The family, struck by the sudden loss, has been in a state of suspended grief. Christmas presents remained unopened under the tree, as unwrapping them was too painful for the siblings.
The incident is still under investigation by the SDPD, who have urged anyone with further information to contact their homicide unit.
