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Stella Gonzales

Case from Albuquerque, NM dated Sep 09, 1988

Victim Details

Stella Gonzales

Female

Hispanic / Latino

Albuquerque

NM

1988-09-09

13

Stella

Gonzales

07/14/2026

Case Description

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Stella Gonzales, a 13-year-old girl, was tragically killed on September 9, 1988. She was walking with a friend near Tingley Beach in Albuquerque, New Mexico, when she was shot in the head by Paul Apodaca, a serial killer who later confessed to the crime. Stella's death was one of three murders committed by Apodaca during the late 1980s. The other victims were 18-year-old Kaitlyn Arquette and 21-year-old Althea Oakeley. Apodaca's motive for the killings was his hatred of women, and he targeted hi ...
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Links to Additional Sources (7)

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  • Chief Medina reacts to 45-year sentence of serial killer in three cold ...
  • New Mexico man confesses to killing Stella Gonzales - KOAT
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    Forum Posts (2)

    Hey everyone,
    I recently dug into the tragic case of Stella Gonzales and something's been on my... ...Read More
    09/24/2024
    It's devastating to think about what Stella's family has gone through all these years, not knowing w... ...Read More
    04/15/2023
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