Delicia Elizabeth Ojeda, a Hispanic woman, was described by her family as a beautiful, loving, and caring daughter, mother, and sister. In a fundraising appeal after her death, her family wrote that she was a beloved presence in their lives and to anyone who knew her, and that there were no words to express how devastating and painful their loss was.
On the morning of August 2, 2023, Delicia was in a hotel room in North Oakland, on the 300 block of West MacArthur Boulevard.
Around 11:20 a.m., a guest in an adjacent room heard the sounds of a scuffle, followed by a single gunshot. The guest then heard Delicia screaming for her mother and sister. He later testified, “It was the type of screaming that you don’t want to hear.” Delicia died from a single gunshot wound inflicted by a gun held under her chin. According to a forensic pathologist, the wound caused severe brain damage but did not kill her instantly. The pathologist determined that both homicide and suicide were possible causes of death.
The investigation focused on Juan Gonzalez-Ortega, 38, who was identified as Delicia’s boyfriend or romantic interest. According to police testimony, the two had been arguing via text messages shortly before her death. In the messages, Gonzalez-Ortega accused her of infidelity and had threatened her. He was arrested and charged with her murder.
At a preliminary hearing in October 2023, prosecutors presented the text messages as evidence of motive. The defense attorney argued that Delicia had died by suicide, pointing to the location of the gunshot wound as proof. During cross-examination, an Oakland police detective testified that Delicia had linear scars on both of her wrists.
Despite the defense’s argument, the case against Gonzalez-Ortega moved forward. As of December 2023, he remained in jail facing the murder charge.
