In February 2015, the life of former Exeter police officer Daniel Green was cut short in a place he should have been safe: his own home in Goshen, California. His failure to report for duty sparked concern among his colleagues, leading to the grim discovery. Investigators initially considered that his death might be connected to his law enforcement career, but the truth would soon reveal a far more personal and tragic story rooted in a tumultuous relationship.
The investigation quickly centered on his ex-wife, Erika Sandoval. Their marriage, though brief, was described as a volatile and toxic relationship, marked by intense jealousy and arguments. Friends and family of Daniel recounted instances of Sandoval's rage, which included destroying furniture and engaging in both psychological and physical abuse. The couple had divorced more than a year before the murder, but tensions remained high, particularly concerning the custody of their son. The catalyst for the violent act appeared to be a photo Daniel posted on social media with his new, younger girlfriend just a week before he was killed.
On the day of the murder, Erika Sandoval went to Daniel's home and let herself in. She concealed herself in a closet and waited for him. When Daniel entered the bathroom, she ambushed him, shooting him multiple times as he sat on the toilet. After the murder, she attempted to conceal her crime by staging the scene to look like a robbery, taking several items and later discarding them along a highway, including the murder weapon which belonged to Daniel.
After initially denying her involvement, Sandoval confessed to the crime and led investigators to the evidence. Despite the confession, the path to justice was long. Her first trial in 2019 ended with a hung jury. However, a second trial concluded in May 2025, a decade after the murder, with a jury finding her guilty of premeditated first-degree murder. Erika Sandoval was subsequently sentenced to 50 years to life in prison for the killing of her ex-husband.
