Maria Perez, aged 42, tragically lost her life on April 11, 2018, in Covina, California. The incident occurred at her residence, where she was found with multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency responders arrived at the scene but were unable to revive her, and she was pronounced dead shortly after their arrival. The investigation quickly identified her estranged ex-husband, Miguel Angel Prieto, as the primary suspect.
Prieto, who was on probation for a previous assault with a deadly weapon charge, was apprehended in Long Beach later that day. He was found in his distinctive black work van, which contained a revolver believed to be the murder weapon.
The case against Prieto was built on a series of violent incidents leading up to the murder of Maria Perez. On February 9, 2018, Prieto mistakenly believed he had encountered Perez's boyfriend and shot at a man and a woman in Azusa, resulting in the woman's death. Additionally, on April 7, 2018, just days before Perez's murder, Prieto was involved in another shooting at a restaurant owned by Perez's uncle in Long Beach. These incidents painted a picture of escalating violence and a clear threat posed by Prieto to those he believed were connected to Perez.
Prieto was charged with multiple counts, including first-degree murder for the killing of Maria Perez, second-degree murder for the death of Rocio Sandoval in Azusa, and two counts of attempted murder. In February 2021, Prieto pleaded guilty to these charges and was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. The case was investigated by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Covina, Azusa, and Long Beach police departments, as well as the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The successful prosecution of Prieto brought some measure of justice to the victims and their families, highlighting the collaborative efforts of the involved agencies.
