Julia Chase Wright, a 21-year-old woman from San Antonio, Texas, tragically lost her life on September 30, 2018. She was killed in a double shooting at her apartment in the Sonoma Canyon complex on the Northwest Side of San Antonio. Wright and her boyfriend, Nicholas "Trey" Milanovich, 23, were asleep when an unidentified gunman entered their apartment through a back window and shot Milanovich in the head while he was sleeping.
Wright, who was also shot, managed to flee the apartment in an attempt to seek help, but the gunman followed her and shot her outside the apartment. Despite her efforts to escape, Wright succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
The investigation into Wright's death led to the arrest of Jilson Avelar-Rodriguez, 23, who was later charged with capital murder. Evidence found at the scene and a confession from Avelar-Rodriguez tied him directly to the murders. In January 2024, Avelar-Rodriguez was sentenced to life without parole for the murders of Wright and Milanovich. The Bexar County Criminal District Attorney's Office, led by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Raul Jordan and Willem VanZeben, successfully prosecuted the case.
The tragic loss of Julia Chase Wright and Nicholas Milanovich brought immense grief to their families and friends. The senseless act of violence left a lasting impact on the community, and the pursuit of justice provided some measure of closure for those affected by the loss. The case highlighted the importance of swift and thorough investigations in bringing perpetrators to justice and ensuring that victims and their families receive the justice they deserve.
