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Decade later, family still waits for ID of loved one's killer
A somber occasion
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Richard Quinn / Special to The Star The family of Gabriela "Gabby" Maldonado gathers near the spot where her body was found on Victoria Avenue just north of Gonzales Road in Oxnard. From left are Gabby's brothers, Edgar Contreras; Ramon Cornejo; Gabby's sister, Carolina Contreras Cornejo; and her mother, Maribel Contreras.
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Juan Carlo / Star staff "For me, it is like it was yesterday," Maribel Contreras said in Spanish as she sat on a couch in her Oxnard home, stopping to wipe away tears when she discussed her daughter's killing. Added her son Edgar Contreras, "It's something I think about every, every little second of life."
Maribel Contreras prepared for Christmas this year as she has for a decade, by visiting an Oxnard cemetery and a spot a few steps away from the traffic on the Victoria Avenue bridge over the Santa Clara River.
Contreras and her family have been marking holidays this way since her eldest child, Gabriela Maldonado, was found shot to death on the bridge's bike path on Oct. 29, 1997. Gabriela, known as "Gabby," was 15 years old and seven months pregnant when she was killed.
Ten years later, the case remains unsolved, and the tragic death is a constant undercurrent in the Oxnard family's daily life.
Gabby's family arrived at Santa Clara Cemetery in Oxnard on a recent Saturday morning with bags full of festive bows, shimmering garlands, flowers and a miniature Christmas tree.
After scrubbing and decorating her grave, the family went to Victoria Avenue to tie stuffed animals to a chain-link fence near the spot where she was found dead.
Gabby's three siblings stood quietly at their mother's side, helping to arrange the colorful plush animals and water the flowers at the base of the memorial.
"This is the only way we can give her our presents, our love," said Gabby's sister, Carolina Contreras Cornejo, 17. "We do it every Christmas, every Halloween, every Thanksgiving every holiday."
"For me, it is like it was yesterday," Maribel Contreras said in Spanish as she sat on a couch in her Oxnard home, stopping to wipe away tears when she discussed her daughter's killing.
Decided to speak publicly
Gabby's family members think about her death most of the time, but because the topic is so painful for them, they rarely talk about it, even with one another.
Yet Contreras decided to speak publicly about it this month because she believes the Sheriff's Department has abandoned the case. "Being quiet hasn't resolved anything," she said.
She can't believe that no one saw her daughter being shot or dumped on the side of Victoria Avenue between Oxnard and Ventura.
She hopes her story might encourage witnesses to come forward. "If someone knew something and had the heart to talk, then the case could be resolved," she said.
Contreras began thinking about speaking up eight months ago, after a long silence from the Sheriff's Department following the departure from the case of the last in a string of investigators, she said.
"The detectives and everyone just kept passing on the case," Carolina said. "My mom wanted something to happen, so she had to do it herself."
Gabby's case is still open, but it's currently what is known as a "cold case," said Capt. Jerry Hernandez, a sheriff's spokesman.
When a homicide occurs, the department saturates the case with detectives, who often stay up for 24 hours gathering evidence and tracking down leads, Hernandez said. While there is no set rule for when a homicide is termed cold, it is usually after investigators have exhausted all possible leads and failed to find enough evidence to charge someone with the crime.
Gabby's case appeared close to a resolution in late 1997, her family said. Her 22-year-old boyfriend was arrested on a parole violation, Hernandez said. The man had been convicted of robbery in 1994 and being a felon in possession of a firearm in August 1997.
Low on priority list
The boyfriend was once a possible suspect in her killing, but the District Attorney's Office decided there was not enough evidence to charge him, Hernandez said.
Until recently, cold cases like Gabby's were assigned to already-swamped homicide investigators, and they invariably ended up low on the priority list, Hernandez said.
In 2006, however, the Sheriff's Department received a grant from the National Institute of Justice that allowed the department to hire a retired investigator to focus on cold cases. The investigator, Arnold Aviles, gave the old crimes more attention and freed detectives for other work, Hernandez said. When the grant ran out, the department kept him on part time.
Aviles is the main person responsible for reviewing Gabby's killing and 129 other cold cases. Full-time detectives help out when they can.
Hernandez declined to comment on details of the investigation into Gabby's killing and said that even if there were new leads, it's likely the family would not be told about them.
Investigators don't want to set families up for frustration by telling them about every lead, then deflating their hopes when they don't pan out, Hernandez said. "They only want to call them when they have some really good news or some really good leads," he said.
That's little consolation to Gabby's family members, who say it affects the way they mourn and process the decade-old tragedy.
Someone still out there
On a simple level, the ongoing investigation means the family has fewer keepsakes to remember her by. When investigators came to the La Colonia home where the family was living at the time of the homicide, they took a backpack full of Gabby's possessions as evidence, Contreras said. Her ring, necklace, diary and rolls of film were among the items taken.
The family wants them back but knows they're probably going to remain in an evidence locker while the case remains unsolved.
Contreras also is afraid someone is still out there who might want to harm her other children.
"I can't even go to the door," said Contreras, 44, who doesn't understand why her daughter was killed.
A student at Oxnard High School, Gabby loved children, Carolina said. She would often take Carolina and brother Edgar to a local park, and when she visited a friend's house, she often looked after the children there, too.
The last time Contreras saw her daughter was when the girl stopped home to drop off Halloween costumes she had bought for Edgar and Carolina. Gabby then left for a friend's house where she often stayed for days at a time, Contreras said.
Carolina was only 7 that day, but she remembers that her sister seemed depressed. "She hugged us a lot and told us she loved us," Carolina said.
That was a Monday. Authorities said at the time that Maldonado had died between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. that Tuesday, and she was found early Wednesday morning.
'If I knew the answers'
For Edgar, now 19, memories of the sister who helped raise him and fought boisterously with him when she was a teen are a preoccupation, he said.
"It's something I think about every, every little second of life," he said.
Edgar remembers how Gabby cried without hysterics, how she chuckled, how she watched cartoons with him as a child. He also remembers the trouble that surfaced in her teenage years: how the happy, loving girl was always fighting with the family for reasons he still doesn't know, leaving for days to stay at friends' homes.
And every time Edgar goes out with his friends, he thinks about where his sister might have been going the last time she went out, and whether that night will be his last, too.
If the case were resolved, he thinks it would quiet some of those fears, he said.
"If I knew the answers, well, I think I would be more calm about everything, knowing that the person who did it is paying for what they did."
Posted by ushldcallme on December 23, 2007 at 3:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The DNA of the suspect should have been matched with the DNA of the fetus of the deceased mother. That might eliminate any doubts as to who the father of the fetus is/was.
Posted by Common_Sense on December 23, 2007 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Another article in todays paper discusses a 3 year old case being solved on Friday so it doesn't seem that they are "doing nothing" Mr. Roland. My sympathies are with you sir, but if it is really important to you perhaps you can make more than ONE attempt at providing this information and not give up because the detective is not it the second you show up? Just a thought and I hope they bring you closure some day.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on December 23, 2007 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I pray they find who ever killed this young lady. Do Not give up hope! I pray for you to have closure in your daughters murder......My Condolences!
Posted by 3rdAmmnendment on December 23, 2007 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I do believe that the police are doing all they can do. It appears that the boyfriend was a gang member or just a criminal. If she were my kid I would have sent her to a new school if she was dating a criminal or gang member.
Posted by B8R_N4MD on December 23, 2007 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
She was 15, he was 22. Even if they don't have enough evidence to charge him with her murder, he should at least be charged with sex with a minor. Read between the lines, he is the main suspect, just not enough evidence to prove he did it.
Posted by zany on December 23, 2007 at 12:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hmmm, let me see. 15 year old girlfriend pregnant with a 22 year old's child. SOO against the law and perhaps the girls family threatened the thug with statutory rape of their daughter? Or maybe the guy already had to pay child support for another child and didn't want another. When a pregnant girl shows up murdered, who is the first person most of us think of? The father of the child.
As for those who think the police department doesn't do anything. They do not disclose every move they make. Also if there are no leads and no evidence, are they supposed to pull something out of that not-so-sunny place and make stuff up to make the victims families feel better? The laws of this country don't allow police to act on a hunch, or prosecute because "we think YOU did it", there has to be ample evidence supporting their claims. Far as I know, they act upon every lead, even if it's just a phone number given to them by someone. Why does everyone have to play the race card? A lot of the OPD are Hispanic so are you saying they don't care about their own? Can you imagine how busy all of these detectives are in a city like this? While each victim would like one-on-one time from the department until their cases are solved, that isn't going to happen unless crime goes down by about 99%!
Posted by prophet on December 23, 2007 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It was the baby's father's friends this is common knowledge the OXPD cannot close the deal. What happened to the guy who lived in a mobile home and heard a noise and when to see what the noise was only to get shot. I would like to know what the ratio of solved to unsolved murder cases are in realtion to other towns with comparable size. The OXPD are ran by high school only graduates with no commitment to real law enforcment only parading around and driving to Starbucks the whole town knows.
Posted by jill on December 23, 2007 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't believe this case hasn't been solved. I have a feeling the boyfriend or father of the child had something to do with it. I'm so sorry for the family. I can't even begin to imagine the pain they're feeling.
Posted by prophet on December 23, 2007 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Zany, I do agree that organizations like the ACLU are ruining this country we should go back to public hangings crime would go way down.
Posted by ironwoman on December 23, 2007 at 5:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Prophet- OPD are ran by high school graduates and we should go back to public hangings...perhaps you should move to Iraq or go get a Phd. so you can run the Police Force and solve every murder that occurs.
As far as the family, their loss is immeasurable. My prayers are with them.
Posted by desdave on December 23, 2007 at 6:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Pregnant at 15 (or 14 depending on when her birthday is), 22 yr old boyfriend? Where were her parents? Unfortunately, not an uncommon story these days.
Posted by desdave on December 23, 2007 at 7:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Having just re-read the story, it just seems like with some parental supervision this could have been prevented. 14/15 yr old girl being allowed to run with adult criminals? What parent would allow that? And yes, it sure seems like the "boy friend" is the most likely shooter. Also, 10 yrs of rebuilding that memorial on every single holiday seems a little morbid. Don't mean to be harsh, it just seems like enough is enough.
Posted by OxnardBaby on December 23, 2007 at 7:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i do remember that story when i was a teenager myself. They still can't solve the problem whats the matter with OPD now. May the family find justice on who did this.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on December 23, 2007 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The parents are NOT to blame all the time .Get over it! Many girls become sexually active at that age. Not just gang member girlfriends either because I know someone will throw that in. Its easier for some to assume things then to send condolences and feel for thier loss !! They lost thier daughter for Gods sake !!!!!!
My daughter became pregnant at 16 ! Do I blame myself ? NO WAY !!!!! Unfortunatly she lost the baby. Gods will I guess..... but had she not become pregnant and lost the baby we would have never know she had pre-cancer cells which without the three surgeries later she would have developed cancer. Things sometimes happen for a reason.... Only God knows.
My neice became pregnant at 13 ! No I do NOT condone pre-marital sex but I can say she is the best mother I know........and raised her child on her own ......well still living at home. But finished school and became productive. Just please do not blame the parents. Things in life happen beyond our control........especially in this case where the daughter has lost her life. So disrespectful!!!!!!!!!
Posted by edgar805skipper on December 23, 2007 at 8:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
this goes out to desdave.
You have to realize that my mom nor my family knew about her pregnancy , the reason why my mother allowed her to date this guy was because he was influencing her to go to school and do good,he seemed like a good person.we cannot prevent any girl from having sexual intercourse like i said my mother did not know anything about the pregnancy.you could have not noticed she was pregnant she was very skinny.
Posted by 3rdAmmnendment on December 23, 2007 at 8:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
edgar805skipper
Your parents should not of allowed this on age of the boyfriend alone. If a 22 year old was acting like he gave a $%&%& about my 15 year old daughter I would believe only the obvious and that is he wants sex. It doesn't matter what he said or did. I also agree that putting stuffed animals along a fence for 10 years is weird. A loved ones memory should be celebrated at their grave.
Posted by edgar805skipper on December 23, 2007 at 9 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thats your own opinion on how to keep someones memory alive i dont see nothing weird with that, many people do the same thing.my mother is 14 years younger than my father another reason why my mother could not stop her from seeing him,you cant really tell your kids or anybody who they choose to like.
Posted by twoods on December 23, 2007 at 9:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
edgar805skipper,
I give you a lot of credit for taking time to respond to some of these pendejos. Some of these same people's comments have been deleted in the past for obvious reasons. A young girl's life was taken and what could of been "prevented" is meaningless. Talk about kicking someone when they're down. Anyway, may God bless you and your family.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on December 24, 2007 at 7:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
edgar805skipper,No need to defend your family. Im sure you are all good people. Sometimes people just come on here and say hurtful things. Even to the dead. God be with you and your family at this time and everyday to come...........REVENGE is mine sayith the Lord....
3rdAmmnendment,ALot of people leave items at the place of death where the soul departed from the body.........We can not condeme anyone for doing what makes them feel better..........
Posted by ironwoman on December 24, 2007 at 8:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
edgar805skipper- I feel for your family and hope that someday, justice will be served. There is nothing worse than losing a family member, especially like this. I will keep your family in my prayers.
Posted by B8R_N4MD on December 24, 2007 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Apparently quite a few of the posters failed reading comprehension. This is NOT an OPD case, it's being investigated by the Sheriffs Department. The crime did not occur within Oxnard.
Posted by desdave on December 24, 2007 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Isn't encouraging her to stay in school etc. a parent's job? This guy had a criminal record, and was 22. And the thought process was that this was a good thing for the girl? As the older brother, didn't it creep you out? I can't believe your family didn't know this guys background, and even if he was a model citizen the fact that he was 22 should have had alarms going off. I can only guess that the 10 yrs of stuffed animal memorials is due to the families sense of quilt at putting her in a position where this happened in the first place. And by the way, regardless of what dept is investigating, it makes me angry that some always disparage the police for not performing a miracle with every case.
Posted by devilangelhawk on December 24, 2007 at 3:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
so quick to judge when there is no evidence. Yall should never assume anything in a life time.
Posted by ih8thieves on December 26, 2007 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
edgar805skipper
My heart goes out to you and your family. Do yourself, and your psyche, a favor ... try to resist the temptation of reading this blog. Yes, most people are supportive but there will always be 'bad apples' posting hurtful comments and they just don't deserve your time. My thoughts are with you.
Posted by AdrianaV on December 26, 2007 at 12:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
edgar805skipper
For years my route to work was through the place where someone left your sister. I assure you that there wasn't a day that I did not think of her and that baby. God Bless you and your family. Please do not loose hope.
Posted by Josie_Contreres on December 26, 2007 at 6:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
((mom was 14 years younger than dad)) I wonder how old mom was when she got married?? I can see why it was hard to convince the daughter that a 22 year old man was not right for her. You learn what you live. Bless this young woman's soul and that of her baby. I hope this case breaks soon and can be put to rest. But leaving hoards of stuffed animals and flowers, decorations, etc., on the side of the road is not only distracting to drivers, but it might also give some sort of deranged since of pride and achievement to the killer. I'd stop that immediately and limit my remembrances to the Cemetery and to one's own mind. That's truly how we remember our loved ones, quietly and personally in our own minds.
Sincere Condolences to the family.
Posted by edgar805skipper on December 29, 2007 at 11:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i want to thank everybody who ever left nice things to say,We decided to talk to bring back the memory to people and see if someone with a heart finally decided to talk not to get critized. We are just asking for the public support on helping us catch a killer and finally closing my sisters case.
Posted by ironwoman on December 30, 2007 at 6:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jose_C- People remember their loved ones in many ways. It doesn't matter if this girl was 14 when she got pregnant or what her parents did or didn't do. The fact is, someone killed her and that person has not been caught. I drive by the memorial all the time. It doesn't distract me. Down the road, there's another memorial where a Police Officer was shot and killed in 1993/1994. It doesn't matter if people place crosses on the roads. It's the grieving process and this family has the right to grieve...in whatever way they feel should be.
I don't even know this family but I feel for them. I wish them the best and most of all justice. If the killer never gets caught, just remember, GOD knows what happened.
Posted by my3angels on January 4, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Egar805 my condolences to you and your family. It must have been very difficult growing up, you were just a child when this happened. I can only imagine the pain that you have gone through.There is no one to blame here except the killer that is still out there. Someone murdered a 15 year old girl and that person needs to be held accountable.
As for the items that have been left by the family at the site, keep doing it. If that helps you, then continue it. No one deals with a loss of a loved one the same way. I had seen the memorial site but did not know what it was for, now I know. Someone out there has to know who did this. I believe in Karma, what goes around comes around. Let's say it was the boyfriend that did this. He would be 32 now. I am sure he has some friends a little older than him that have daughters around 14 or 15 years old. Would you trust him around your daughters? With the memorial still there, maybe they will feel guilty and help close this case.
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