Simona Mateas, a 43-year-old resident of Jurupa Valley, California, tragically lost her life on July 19, 2014, in a harrowing incident that has been classified as a murder-suicide. The events unfolded early that morning when officers from the Jurupa Valley Police Department responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon at a residence on Skylane Drive. Upon arrival, they discovered Simona Mateas lying in the driveway, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Despite immediate medical attention and transportation to a hospital, she succumbed to her injuries.
The investigation revealed that Simona Mateas was shot by her husband, Avram Mateas, amid ongoing divorce proceedings. The couple's contentious relationship had escalated to a fatal confrontation. In addition to shooting his wife, Avram Mateas also shot a 36-year-old male resident of Jurupa Valley, who was present at the scene. The male victim, whose identity was not disclosed, survived the attack and was hospitalized.
Following the shooting, Avram Mateas fled the scene and drove to San Bernardino, where he took his own life. Authorities found him deceased inside a home on West Lincoln Avenue, marking the end of a tragic sequence of events. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department, in collaboration with the San Bernardino Police Department, conducted a thorough investigation into the incident. The investigation confirmed that the motive behind the shooting was linked to the couple's ongoing divorce and the resulting emotional turmoil.
No arrests were made in connection with the case, as the primary suspect, Avram Mateas, had already died by suicide. The case was closed following the confirmation of the murder-suicide scenario, and no further litigation or law cases were pursued. The tragic death of Simona Mateas highlighted the severe consequences of domestic disputes and the importance of addressing such issues before they escalate to violence.
