Monica Ann Dominguez, a 52-year-old resident of Covina, California, tragically lost her life on February 13, 2019. The incident occurred in the 200 block of East Center Street, where she lived with her husband, Michael Rivera, and their three grandchildren. On that fateful day, Dominguez and Rivera were involved in a heated argument inside their locked bedroom. The altercation escalated, and their grandchildren, who were present in the home, reported hearing gunshots around 4:45 p.m.
Following the gunshots, the children smelled smoke and, upon realizing the severity of the situation, sought help from a neighbor who then contacted the police.
When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered both Dominguez and Rivera deceased in the bedroom. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner's records, Dominguez had suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead at 5:11 p.m. Rivera was also found with a gunshot wound to the head, and his death was ruled a suicide. He was pronounced dead at 5:12 p.m. The couple had been the legal guardians of their three grandchildren, who were subsequently taken in by other relatives.
The Covina Police Department, led by Sgt. David Rodriguez, conducted an investigation into the incident. It was determined that Rivera had shot Dominguez before turning the gun on himself. The police had previously been called to the couple's residence twice in November 2018 due to disturbances involving loud arguments. Despite these prior incidents, no other suspects were sought in connection with the deaths, as the evidence pointed to a murder-suicide.
The tragic event left the community in shock, and authorities urged anyone with additional information to come forward. The investigation concluded that the deaths were the result of domestic violence, highlighting the importance of addressing and preventing such incidents. The case serves as a somber reminder of the devastating impact of domestic disputes and the need for support systems to protect vulnerable individuals.
