Porterville Police are transporting a suspected killer from southern California back to the Central Valley. Officers say 26-year old Leonardo Nacoa of Porterville murdered his wife early Sunday morning, fled to Mexico and then turned himself in to authorities later that evening.
Police say a shooting took place inside a Porterville home on W. La Vida Avenue, just east of Highway 65. Witnesses told officers an argument escalated into extreme violence and that Leonardo Nacoa was responsible for killing his 25-year old wife, Krystal Garcia Nacoa. Their three small children were left all alone in the home. Fortunately, they were not hurt.
“It didn't seem like there were ever any problems over there,” said Victor Lambarna, a neighbor.
“It was just devastating, totally devastating. I can't believe what has happened,” said Karrie Guzman, a neighbor.
Police launched an all out search for Nacoa. Then a break came when they got his cell phone number. Investigators talked to him and learned he had crossed the border into Mexico where he apparently has family.
“Detectives were able to convince him to surrender to authorities in Calexico Police Department,” said Dominic Barteau of the Porterville Police Dept.
According to Leonardo Nacoa's Facebook page, he's been working as a janitor with the Porterville Unified School District. He's a former marine who is now attending college and is also a proud father.
On his wife Krystal's Facebook page, she describes herself as a proud wife to a great man and proud mommy of two adorable baby girls and a baby boy.
One of her recent comments read: “Everything is great.”
“It's senseless. It should not have happened. They should still have their mother. But thank God they got him and he'll pay for what he did,” said Guzman.
The three children, who are all under the age of eight, are now staying with relatives. Detectives say Nacoa turned himself in because he thought it would be in the best interest of his kids.