Lilliam Orozco-Zelaya, a 26-year-old mother of three, was tragically killed on November 6, 2021, in Daly City, California. The incident occurred in her apartment on Bel Mar Avenue, where she lived with her children and a roommate. On that fateful evening, her estranged husband, Eriberto Beltran Arenas, confronted her in a fit of rage, allegedly over suspicions of infidelity.
According to prosecutors, Beltran Arenas shot Orozco-Zelaya twice in the head and once in the leg, while her 4-year-old child was in the next room, protected by the roommate who had locked the door upon hearing the commotion.
Immediately after the shooting, Beltran Arenas reportedly called Orozco-Zelaya's mother and other family members to confess to the crime. He was apprehended shortly after by the San Francisco Police Department and was found to have 18 firearms registered in his name. The case quickly drew attention due to the brutal nature of the crime and the presence of the young child during the incident.
The legal proceedings that followed were complex and emotionally charged. Beltran Arenas was charged with murder, and his trial began in May 2024. During the trial, the jury was presented with evidence and testimonies detailing the events leading up to and following the murder. However, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict, deadlocking over whether the crime was committed in the heat of passion or with premeditation. As a result, the judge declared a mistrial and dismissed the jury. Beltran Arenas was ordered to return to jail, held on an $11 million bail, while prosecutors considered a retrial.
In the wake of Orozco-Zelaya's death, her family expressed their grief and the impact of domestic violence through a GoFundMe page, highlighting the loss of a young mother and the trauma inflicted on her children, all under the age of ten. The case has also prompted discussions on domestic violence and the need for stronger protective measures for victims.
