Margarett Lee Moon, aged 40, tragically lost her life on February 10, 2021, in a horrific incident that also claimed the lives of her 16-year-old daughter, Shelly Autumn Mae Moon, and her fiancé, Nikki Dion Metcalf. The triple homicide occurred at their home on the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Reservation in Loleta, California. The community was left in shock and mourning as details of the brutal crime emerged.
The perpetrator, Mauricio Eduardo Johnson, an 18-year-old
acquaintance of the family, was a guest in their home at the time of the murders. On the morning of February 10, Johnson fatally shot Margarett, Shelly, and Nikki. The motive behind the killings remains unclear, but it was reported that Johnson had a relationship with Shelly, which was under investigation. The crime scene was discovered after a juvenile in the home called 911 to report the shooting. Deputies arrived to find two victims dead and a third critically injured, who later succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital. Two other children in the home were unharmed physically but undoubtedly traumatized by the events.
Following the murders, Johnson fled the scene and was apprehended in Utah the next day while traveling with his mother and her friend. He was charged with three counts of first-degree murder and three special allegations for using a firearm in the killings. In October 2021, Johnson pled guilty to all charges and was sentenced to 150 years to life in prison, with the possibility of a parole hearing after 25 years. The plea deal was accepted by the prosecution after consultations with the victims' families and community members, who had mixed feelings about whether to proceed to trial or accept the plea.
The deaths of Margarett Lee Moon and her family members had a profound impact on the Bear River and Loleta communities. Both Margarett and Shelly were well-known and loved for their work at Loleta Elementary School, where they served as aides and tutors. The school district and local organizations provided counseling and support to those affected by the tragedy. The community continues to remember and honor the lives of Margarett, Shelly, and Nikki, while grappling with the senseless violence that took them away.
