Lately, almost all the Hacienda Heights Google News alerts popping up in my inbox have been stories about the recently renovated McDonald’s near the intersection of Hacienda Boulevard and Gale Avenue. The interior designers adopted feng shui elements to relate to a “mostly Asian*” community which also is home to a large Buddhist temple. I find it annoying that so many news sources have reported on a stupid McDonald’s.
Yesterday’s singular alert was far from frivolous:
POMONA, Calif. — Three men pleaded not guilty Thursday to the October 2002 slaying of a 17-year-old Baldwin Park girl whose body was found on a Hacienda Heights street.
Abraham Ruben Acuña, 33, Matthew Andrew Garcia, 26, and Victor Manuel Monge, 31, are each charged with murder for the October 12, 2002, killing of Gloria Gaxiola.
Authorities have not disclosed how the girl was killed. Her body was found on Hacienda Boulevard, north of Colima Road.
The three defendants were named in a felony complaint for arrest warrant filed less than two months ago.
They remain jailed pending an April 1 hearing in Pomona Superior Court to determine if there is enough evidence to require them to stand trial. (Source: KNBC)
A little over a year ago, I wrote about the sunny Saturday morning Lori and I came upon the crime scene where Gloria Gaxiola’s body was found after being dragged four miles by a car (link). The gruesome murder shook us up. In 2006, Gloria’s murder was described as a cold case.
I hope there will be justice for Gloria and her family.
*Hacienda Heights has about an even number of Asians and Latinos.
Lotería Chicana 
That’s sad.
Crime just makes me sad.
I wish it didn’t exist.
glorious injustice at colliding intersections
sad
):
thank god, though, that it’s friday & pi-day
did you hear about this? http://dailybruin.com/news/2008/mar/14/student-drowns-campus-pool/
Hi everyone I was reading up on the case and I’m very upset gloria was my cousin and it makes me sick that someone did that to her! And sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday!
I agree. I wish that part of this world didn’t exist. Why can’t we learn to love one another?
this scares me…how can a person sleep at night after something like this…i would like to get more info on this case if possible… thanx
Gloria Gaxiola was my sister and i could tell you one thing she was loved and missed by so many people. I dont know how this guys could have done what they did. I guees i will finally find out why and see them face to face.
Hey. This is great news that there were arrests! I have wondered about this case for years. I hope that if it these were the guys that did it that the DA is able to get a speedy conviction. Whatever motivated them, they took the of a beautiful and kind young woman. Angie, if you read this, I am so sorry for your and your family’s loss!
I FINALLY SAW THEM AMD YOU KNOW WHAT THERE GUYS THAT ARE NOT GOING TO BE ANYTHING IN LIFE BUT LOW LIFES AND THEY TOOK GLOEIA LIFE SOME ONE THAT HAD SO MANY PLANES AND FULL OF LIFE. YOU WOULD THINK THAT ME AND MY FAMILY WOULD BE USED TO NOT HAVING HER AROUND BUT EVERY DAY THAT GOES BY I MISS HER MORE AND MORE NOT ABLE SEE HER AT PARTYS IN HOLIDAYS GROWING OLDER DOING SISTER THINGS. MY HEART HURTS SO BAD THAT MY LIL SISTER HAD TO GO THROUGH THAT JUST THE WAY THEY DID IT AND SHOWED KNOW FEELINGS. JUST PRAY FOR US AND MAYBE ONE DAY I’LL SEE HER IN HEAVEN.
Gloria is my stepdaughter.I saw those three soulless animal monsters for the first time in court. We heard for the first time what they had done to her. Three men against one teenaged girl. They actually seemed rather bored by the court proceedings. I knew that the day would come when they would have to face a judge and jury. I will be in court every day that I possibly can. Gloria had the love and support of a large extended family. She still does.
I MISS YOU GLORIA. I THINK ABOUT YOU ALL THE TIME. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART.
JANUARY 28, IS THE NEXT COURT DATE @ POMONA COURT @ 8:30
HOPE TO SEE A LOT OF SUPPORT.
I MISS YOU SO MUCH GLORIA ALWAYS WITH THAT PRETTY SMILE ON YOUR FACE .. I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU…
ITS NICE TO HEAR PEOPLE MISS GLORIA AND HER PRETTY SMILE THANKS!
I went to school with Gloria!
I still think about her…and growing up with her in school..she might not have always made the right choices but she deff did not deserve what happened to her. I guess she was always trying to find herself and saddly that ment hanging out with the wrong people! I remember the last time I saw her…I hope that these people that did this to her get what they deserve! I cant imagine and dont dare to think of the horror she had to go through…thats easy for a person to say…but these people to Look ” rather bored in court” ugh..it discust me..their not people they are monsters…my prayers go out to Glorias Family..I hope that you find justice andI hope she can rest in peace soon! xoxo
The case has gone to trial. The first day, May 26, 2009, was mainly opening statements by the prosecution and the defense. We then started hearing witness testimony. When this is all over, it will be in the hands of the jury. My stepdaughter was only 17. Please pray for us.
Today justice has been heard loud and clear!
My sister Gloria can finally rest! The three “monsters” will finally pay the price. Even though there’s no price that can bring her back to me/us. Forever a piece will be missing from our lives. I never got a chance to get to know my sister Gloria, I will never geta chance to experience her charm and pretty smile. I will always hate them for taking that from me. To my sister Angie and brother Jesse…I love you! You know that Gloria loves you guys and is so thankful for your strength and courage through this hard time. She will always be watching over you!
Guilty! Guilty! Guilty! First degree murder, Conspiracy to commit murder, Aiding & Abetting. Three charges, three defendants: Abraham Ruben Acuna – Matthew Andrew Garcia — Victor Monge Guilty on all charges !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Justice for Gloria!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sleep and rest Sleep and dream Sweet girl Gloria
Justice was not served for that poor girl gloria…THEY GOT THE WRONG PEOPLE…OPEN YOUR EYES CUZ THE ONES WHO DID THIS WERE IN YOUR FACE TELLING LIES AFTER LIES ON THE STAND!!!POOR GLORIA!!JUSTICE WAS SERVED FOR DETECTIVE MARTINEZ…ANOTHER CASE CLOSED….
HOW CAN SUM ONE BE CONVICTED FOR A CRIME WHEN THERE IS NO FISCAL EVIDENCE,PLUS NO DNA…NOTHING AT ALL THAT PROVES THEM GUILTY…HOW CAN YOU TWO WITTINESS THAT ARE HEAVY (METH)DRUG
ADDICTS…WHO DID NOTHING BUT TELL LIE AFTER LIE UNTIL THERE STORIES SUM WHAT MATCHED UP 6YEARS LATTER THEY NEED TO COME UP WITH A STORY TO GET THEM SELVES OUT OF IT..PLUS THEY END UP BEING IN A RELATIONSHIP AND MOVE OUT OF THE STATE FOR 1 YEAR BUT THAT DIDNT WORK CUZ HE BEATS HER UP BADLY!!!THIS STORY CAN GO
ON AND ON PROVING THAT THE KILLERS ARE STILL OUT THERE…“HOW COULD YOU BE SO BLIND”OPEN YOUR EYES THE DETECTIVE NEEDS TO CLOSE THIS 7YEAR OLD CASE..THATS NOT JUSTICE________…..
WHERE U NO IN THE SAME COURT ROOM? I NO AND THANK GOD THE JURY KNOWS THEY WHERE GUILTY. I KNOW IT WASENT YOUR FAULT BUT THE ONE WHO NEEDS TO OPEAN THERE EYES IS U. COME ON NOW NOW THE DETECTIVE IS IN ON IT TO? AND REMEMBER THEY ARE NO ANGELS EITHER THEY HAVE A LOT OF STUFF UNDER THERE BELTS AND I CAN GO ON ON AND ON IF I WANTED TO. BUT GOD BLESS U AND I HOPE NOTHING LIKE THIS EVER HAPPENS TO YOUR FAMILY CAUSE THEN MAYBE YOU WILL UNDERSTAND AND SEE WHAT WE WENT THROUGH.AS FOR MARTINEZ THANK GOD SHE NEVER GAVE UP AND IT WASENT JUST ANOTHER COLD CASE.
Real life is nothing like the tv show-CSI. The fact is– real life is like the case we all just lived through and the trial we all just sat through. As for forensic evidence which includes DNA- well since this case took 5yrs to solve- there isn’t any. Five years is a long time. Too long for DNA or any other forensic evidence. So, you have to build a case using other evidence. The evidence in this case was very good. None of the expert witnesses contradicted the main witnesses. The coroner. the firearms expert and the biological fluids and tissue all backed up the testimony of the other witnesses. The testimony of Sgt.MacDonald backed up one of the witnesses. And made a sister of one of the defendants a liar. The jury weighed the evidence and the witness testimony and then and only then made their decision. None of the people seated in the audience section- family, friends, interested persons, convicted anybody. That was the jury. Not the detective. The jury. I would imagine that the family and friends of those convicted will never believe that they are guilty. I also believe that the family and friends of Gloria are convinced that there has at long last been justice for Gloria.
the only people who think these animals are not guilty must be some one who cares about them. because its to hard to belive someone u love could do such a crime. but guess what they did.its hard for all the family and friens who were in volved in this case to go on with thier lives but we all have to take one day at a time. everyone lost someone in this case. but the only difference is that some of this people could still see and speak to thier loved ones unlike the gaxiola family. they only got memories. thats not fare for them.if these guys were so innocent why didnt they show any intrest on fighting for thier innocents all they would do is look around and scribble on paper.they proubly writing letters to thier loved one’s something gloria will never get to do ever again.the family of this animals hasnt even tried saying sorry to the gaxiola family all they could do is give dirty looks if like they put these animals behind bars.
sentencing day has been changed from june 29,2009 to another day.date has not been set yet
A decision made in Oct ’02 continues to impact many lives. Gloria’s untimely death, at the age of 17, has left a pain that after 7 years, continues to torment the family every waking hour. The relative assigned the task of identifying the mutilated body laying in the cold morgue, after being shot, strangled, and dragged a few miles summed it up as the worst experience of his life. Imagine if this was you, identifying your mom, dad, tia, or best friend? I will spare you the details but parts of Gloria’s skin were scattered, and probably remain, throughout Turnbull Canyon. Please say a prayer for Gloria, whenever you travel through the area, and keep the essence of her spirit alive. By the same token, remember the grieving relatives and friends of Abraham, Matthew, and Victor by helping out a troubled youth. Do something to help them turn their life around, and tell them that they matter. Who knows, you may save a life through this act, and Gloria’s death would not have been in vain. Matthew, Abraham, and Victor were responsible for ending Gloria’s life but as a society did we fail Gloria and these men by possibly neglecting them in some way? What happened in their young life that led them to make those awful decisions, on that October weekend, that led to this tragedy? Was there remorse? What were Gloria’s last pleas when she realized her life was coming to an end? We must all face death at some point in our life, but our lil Gloria faced brutality. I take comfort in the fact she’s rejoycing in Heaven. We should take a look at the young people in your family and circle of friends…is there someone you identify as possibly having a similar fate? Do something to keep them from ending up in a cold empty morgue or a cold hopeless jail cell – there isn’t much of a difference! In the end, I saw nothing but anger, pain, and tears on both sides of the courtroom, as a result of a decision made in October ’02. May God have mercy on our souls!
i was in camp with gloria n she was gone months before this happened
my prayers go out to gloria’s family may u all find that closer in ur life… and may the suspects get what they desirve weather it was the three men they got or not regarless my they rot in hell its no ones job to take someones life the way they did there fucken dogs they disscuse me to the fullest for one if it was to show off to a gang why the fuck do that if what there fighting for aint even theres and secound they need to grab them balls of theres that they think they hnave and get a better job cause they aint only hurting the ppl they kill or hurt badly there hurting them self and there own familys but any ways with that being said and not remember if i was in camp or in jail or placement with gloria,may gloria rest in peace… gloria and her family will be in my every day prayers…
Tonight I went through Turnbull, and my dad was telling us scary stories and murders that had happened. So when I got home I decided to look up some history. I came across many different stories about Gloria’s death and I just think its sad for people to make it an urban legend. I was too young to remember the death of Gloria, maybe only 7 or 8. Either way this story saddens me. I will most definitely say a prayer for her everytime I pass through Turnbull.
God bless her family and friends.
Im sure there was more people involved she hung out with the wrong crowd…she herself wasn’t an angel. But my question is what was the motive for her murder? And I thought a witness saw a female driving the car that was dragging her..did that person get caught? Or did I misunderstand.