On New Year's Day in 2014, a heartbreaking discovery was made in a Tolleson, Arizona home. Six-year-old Angelica Gallardo-Garcia, a Hispanic female, was found deceased, bringing a tragic start to the new year. The young girl's life was cut short in an act of violence that also claimed the life of her eight-year-old sister, Alejandra.
The grim scene was uncovered by a young family member who immediately alerted the police.
When authorities arrived, they found the two sisters, along with their 45-year-old father, Alejandro Gallardo. Investigators determined that the incident was a murder-suicide. It was concluded that Alejandro Gallardo fatally shot both of his daughters before turning the gun on himself.
The investigation revealed that the father had been struggling with depression, particularly after a recent separation from the mother of his two daughters. While family members were aware of his struggles and had attempted to get him help, the depth of his despair was not fully realized until it was too late. The community was left to mourn the senseless loss of two innocent children. The case is considered solved as the primary suspect in the deaths of Angelica and Alejandra Garcia is deceased.
