Vanessa Palma, a 34-year-old resident of South San Francisco, was tragically murdered on June 7, 2018. Vanessa was attempting to leave a violent relationship with her estranged husband, Robert Riley, also known as Chui Chekele Riley. On the day of her death, Vanessa was fatally shot in the Mission Terrace neighborhood of San Francisco. The incident occurred just after 11 a.m. on the 4500 block of Mission Street.
Vanessa had been enduring years of physical abuse and threats from Riley, who had repeatedly warned her that he would kill her if she ever left him. Despite her efforts to move out and distance herself from him, Riley continued to contact and harass her.
Following the murder, the San Francisco Police Department launched an investigation and quickly identified Robert Riley as the primary suspect. Riley, who was considered armed and dangerous, was believed to be driving a white Chrysler 300. The police issued a public alert and urged anyone with information about his whereabouts to come forward. Vanessa's family, who had been aware of the abuse she suffered, expressed their frustration with the delay in publicly naming Riley as a suspect. They described Vanessa as a kind and caring person who was very close to her family.
The search for Robert Riley came to a tragic end on June 21, 2018, when he was found dead in a home in the unincorporated San Joaquin County community of French Camp. Riley had apparently taken his own life, bringing a grim conclusion to the case. Vanessa's family, while relieved that Riley could no longer harm anyone else, continued to mourn the loss of a beloved family member. They remembered Vanessa as a happy soul who always had a smile and sought justice for her untimely death. The case highlighted the severe consequences of domestic violence and the importance of timely intervention and support for victims.
