Rick Roberts, a 49-year-old former demolition derby champion and owner of an auto shop in Sonora, California, was found dead on February 16, 2014. His body was discovered inside his auto shop by a friend who immediately alerted the authorities. An autopsy revealed that Roberts had been shot twice, with one bullet grazing his shoulder and the other penetrating his chest, the latter proving fatal.
The investigation into his death revealed no signs of forced entry or struggle, suggesting that Roberts likely knew his attacker.
The investigation into Roberts' murder initially faced significant challenges due to a lack of leads. However, it soon emerged that Roberts had been involved in an extramarital affair with Cheryl Lynn Lucero, a 46-year-old resident of Sonora. Lucero, who was reportedly obsessed with Roberts, wanted him to leave his wife and start a new life with her. When Roberts refused, Lucero's obsession turned deadly. She was brought in for questioning, during which she confessed to the murder, stating that she had planned to kill Roberts because he would not leave his wife for her.
Lucero's confession led to her arrest and subsequent incarceration. The case highlighted the tragic consequences of a fatal attraction and the devastating impact it had on Roberts' family and the Sonora community. Lucero remains incarcerated, serving her sentence for the murder of Rick Roberts. The case serves as a grim reminder of how jealousy and obsession can lead to tragic outcomes.
