On May 24, 2022, 39-year-old Dora Gonzales Zarate was found deceased inside her mobile home in Granton, Wisconsin. An autopsy later confirmed that the female victim had died from a gunshot wound to the head. The ensuing investigation into her death quickly pointed to a suspect with whom she had been romantically involved.
Investigators identified 71-year-old Jose Luis Gonzalez Sr. as the primary suspect in the homicide.
It was revealed that he and Zarate had been in a relationship, which she was attempting to end. Witnesses reported seeing Gonzalez's distinctive blue 2008 Dodge Caravan at Zarate's residence on the day of her death. Further examination of their communications showed that Zarate had expressed fear for her life in messages to Gonzalez.
In the days following the discovery of Zarate's body, Gonzalez traveled with his family to Delaware. With the assistance of the Delaware State Police, his location was monitored. Detectives from the Dane County Sheriff's Office traveled to Delaware and arrested Gonzalez. During the investigation, it was discovered that he had deleted numerous messages and data from his phone. Surveillance footage also contradicted his initial statements to police, showing him wearing different clothes earlier on the day of the murder, which were later found wet in his washing machine at home.
Jose Luis Gonzalez Sr. was charged with first-degree intentional homicide. Just before his trial was set to begin, he pleaded no contest to the charges. He was subsequently sentenced and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison, with the possibility of supervised release after 23 years.
