On January 27, 2026, Lindsey Peralta Vallerga, a 49-year-old woman, was found deceased in her Rancho Cordova, California, home in what authorities have described as a tragic murder-suicide. Also discovered at the residence on Mill Water Circle were her two children, a 13-year-old son and an 11-year-old daughter, and her 58-year-old husband, David Edward Vallerga Jr.
All four individuals had sustained fatal gunshot wounds.
The grim discovery was made after police received two 911 calls on that Tuesday morning. The first reported gunfire in the area, and the second was allegedly from David Vallerga himself, who claimed responsibility for the shooting and warned of "booby traps" within the house. This prompted a significant police response, including the evacuation of nearby homes and the deployment of a SWAT team. A police drone was initially used to assess the situation and observed an unresponsive male inside the residence.
Upon entering the home, officers found the bodies of Lindsey Peralta Vallerga and her two children. Her husband, David, was also found deceased and is considered the sole suspect in the killings. Investigators have confirmed that he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A thorough search of the home by the Sheriff's Explosive Ordnance Disposal team revealed no explosive devices or traps. However, investigators did find two firearms with David Vallerga and an additional 14 firearms stored in the residence.
The motive for the horrific event remains under investigation by the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office. Detectives are in the process of examining evidence from the home, reviewing digital records, and interviewing friends and family to understand the circumstances that led to the tragedy. There were no prior reports of domestic violence at the Vallerga residence. The community has been left in shock, with neighbors and friends gathering for a candlelight vigil to remember Lindsey and her children.
