Jose Guerrero (Serial Killer)
California Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Madera, California
TIME PERIOD
1995-1998
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
Jose Guerrero, an American serial killer, abducted and murdered three women and attempted to kill a fourth in Madera, California, between 1995 and 1998. The victims included Julie Ann Woodley, found dead on April 23, 1995; Sharlene Fowler, discovered on July 14, 1998; and Tamara Jones Hernandez, whose body was located on November 22, 1998. Guerrero was arrested in 1999 for DUI, and while incarcerated, his DNA was linked to the murders in 2004, leading to his conviction on three counts of first-degree murder and a death penalty sentence in 2009. Significant evidence included DNA matches from the crime scenes, corroborated by Guerrero's own admissions while in prison.
Jose Guerrero is believed to have targeted women along C Street in Madera, an area known for prostitution, but not all of his victims were sex workers. There is speculation that Guerrero's initial ability to evade capture was due to the lack of connection between the murders, which were only linked through DNA testing years later. Some theories suggest that Guerrero's violent behavior escalated over time, culminating in a pattern of abduction and murder that went undetected for several years.
The Chilling Crimes of Jose Guerrero
A Sinister Prelude in Madera, California
The story of Jose Guerrero, an American serial killer, unfolds in the seemingly quiet town of Madera, California, between 1995 and 1998. Guerrero, born in 1973, became infamous for a series of brutal crimes that haunted the community. During this period, he abducted and murdered three women and attempted to kill a fourth, leaving a trail of fear and mystery in his wake. Unbeknownst to the community, it would take nearly six years for the pieces of this dark puzzle to come together, thanks to a breakthrough in DNA testing following Guerrero's arrest for a DUI. Ultimately, in 2009, justice caught up with him, leading to his conviction and a death sentence.
The Murders: A Grim Chronicle
Julie Ann Woodley
The morning of April 23, 1995, began with a horrifying discovery. In an orchard just south of Madera, a farmworker stumbled upon the lifeless body of a woman. This woman was later identified as Julie Ann Woodley, known to some as Julie Ann McDonald. At 42 years old, she was a native of Madera and a mother of two, though her children did not live with her. Just the night before, Julie had been seen alive, only to be found dead eight hours later on Madera's south side. The subsequent autopsy revealed a grim fate: she had been raped, sodomized, and shot.
Evelyn Estrada
On November 28, 1995, Evelyn Estrada's life nearly ended in tragedy. The 42-year-old reported being kidnapped by a man wielding a grape knife. As he chillingly detailed his intentions, Evelyn's survival instincts kicked in. When they arrived at a remote location, she bravely fought back, resulting in her throat being slashed. Despite the severe injury, Evelyn managed to escape, becoming a crucial survivor in this tale of terror.
Sharlene Fowler
Fast forward nearly three years to July 14, 1998, when another heinous act shattered the peace. Sharlene Fowler, age 30, was found dead in an orchard. The autopsy would later confirm that she had been strangled, marking another grim chapter in Guerrero's string of violent crimes.
Tamara Hernandez
In 1998, 22-year-old Tamara Jones Hernandez traveled from Eureka, California, to visit family in Madera. On the fateful night of November 22, Tamara left her family home to purchase milk for the children but never returned. Her body was discovered face down later that night near Road 23 1/2 and Avenue 15 1/2, a tragic end to a simple errand.
The Arrest: Unveiling the Killer
In 1999, Jose Guerrero's reckless behavior led to a DUI arrest. This charge resulted in a prison sentence, confining him to Wasco State Prison for what would have been at least five years. During his incarceration, Guerrero's arrogance surfaced as he was overheard boasting about committing multiple violent crimes, including three murders. This reckless admission became a pivotal piece of the puzzle.
As his prison term neared its end in 2004, Guerrero submitted a DNA sample to the state's crime lab. This decision proved to be his undoing. In October of that year, the DNA linked him to the murder of Tamara Hernandez. The revelation led to his arrest directly from his jail cell and subsequent extradition to Madera County.
The investigative team didn't stop there. With Guerrero now in custody, they charged him not only with Hernandez's murder but also with the murders of Woodley and Fowler, and the attempted murder of Estrada. The DNA evidence effectively connected him to these crimes, finally bringing a semblance of closure to the victims' families.
Trial and Imprisonment: Justice Served
Jose Guerrero's trial began in April 2009, after being deemed competent to stand trial in March. The courtroom proceedings became the most high-profile case in Madera County since the infamous 1976 Chowchilla kidnapping. Over the course of ten days, the jury found Guerrero guilty of three counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.
Despite the conviction, the victims' families expressed mixed feelings, grateful for the justice served but hesitant about the death penalty. Evelyn Estrada, Guerrero's surviving victim, voiced her belief that he should not be executed. Nevertheless, in June 2009, Guerrero was sentenced to death and transferred to San Quentin State Prison to await execution. However, in 2019, a moratorium on executions by California Governor Gavin Newsom put Guerrero's fate in limbo. As of now, he remains on death row.
Sources
For further reading and details, refer to the original Wikipedia article at Wikipedia: Jose Guerrero (serial killer).
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First Murder: Julie Ann Woodley
The body of Julie Ann Woodley is found in an orchard, marking the first known murder linked to Guerrero.
Evelyn Estrada Kidnapped
Evelyn Estrada reports being kidnapped by a man with a knife but manages to escape after a violent struggle.
Second Murder: Sharlene Fowler
The body of Sharlene Fowler is discovered in an orchard, having been strangled to death.
Third Murder: Tamara Hernandez
Tamara Hernandez goes missing; her body is later found, linked to Guerrero's series of murders.
Guerrero Arrested for DUI
Jose Guerrero is arrested for drunk driving, leading to his eventual DNA testing.
DNA Links to Murders
Guerrero's DNA is linked to the murders of Hernandez, Woodley, and Fowler, leading to his arrest.
Trial Begins
Jose Guerrero's trial begins, becoming a high-profile case in Madera County.
Sentenced to Death
Guerrero is sentenced to death after being convicted of three counts of first-degree murder.
Jose Guerrero, an American serial killer, abducted and murdered three women and attempted to kill a fourth in Madera, California, between 1995 and 1998. The victims included Julie Ann Woodley, found dead on April 23, 1995; Sharlene Fowler, discovered on July 14, 1998; and Tamara Jones Hernandez, whose body was located on November 22, 1998. Guerrero was arrested in 1999 for DUI, and while incarcerated, his DNA was linked to the murders in 2004, leading to his conviction on three counts of first-degree murder and a death penalty sentence in 2009. Significant evidence included DNA matches from the crime scenes, corroborated by Guerrero's own admissions while in prison.
Jose Guerrero is believed to have targeted women along C Street in Madera, an area known for prostitution, but not all of his victims were sex workers. There is speculation that Guerrero's initial ability to evade capture was due to the lack of connection between the murders, which were only linked through DNA testing years later. Some theories suggest that Guerrero's violent behavior escalated over time, culminating in a pattern of abduction and murder that went undetected for several years.
The Chilling Crimes of Jose Guerrero
A Sinister Prelude in Madera, California
The story of Jose Guerrero, an American serial killer, unfolds in the seemingly quiet town of Madera, California, between 1995 and 1998. Guerrero, born in 1973, became infamous for a series of brutal crimes that haunted the community. During this period, he abducted and murdered three women and attempted to kill a fourth, leaving a trail of fear and mystery in his wake. Unbeknownst to the community, it would take nearly six years for the pieces of this dark puzzle to come together, thanks to a breakthrough in DNA testing following Guerrero's arrest for a DUI. Ultimately, in 2009, justice caught up with him, leading to his conviction and a death sentence.
The Murders: A Grim Chronicle
Julie Ann Woodley
The morning of April 23, 1995, began with a horrifying discovery. In an orchard just south of Madera, a farmworker stumbled upon the lifeless body of a woman. This woman was later identified as Julie Ann Woodley, known to some as Julie Ann McDonald. At 42 years old, she was a native of Madera and a mother of two, though her children did not live with her. Just the night before, Julie had been seen alive, only to be found dead eight hours later on Madera's south side. The subsequent autopsy revealed a grim fate: she had been raped, sodomized, and shot.
Evelyn Estrada
On November 28, 1995, Evelyn Estrada's life nearly ended in tragedy. The 42-year-old reported being kidnapped by a man wielding a grape knife. As he chillingly detailed his intentions, Evelyn's survival instincts kicked in. When they arrived at a remote location, she bravely fought back, resulting in her throat being slashed. Despite the severe injury, Evelyn managed to escape, becoming a crucial survivor in this tale of terror.
Sharlene Fowler
Fast forward nearly three years to July 14, 1998, when another heinous act shattered the peace. Sharlene Fowler, age 30, was found dead in an orchard. The autopsy would later confirm that she had been strangled, marking another grim chapter in Guerrero's string of violent crimes.
Tamara Hernandez
In 1998, 22-year-old Tamara Jones Hernandez traveled from Eureka, California, to visit family in Madera. On the fateful night of November 22, Tamara left her family home to purchase milk for the children but never returned. Her body was discovered face down later that night near Road 23 1/2 and Avenue 15 1/2, a tragic end to a simple errand.
The Arrest: Unveiling the Killer
In 1999, Jose Guerrero's reckless behavior led to a DUI arrest. This charge resulted in a prison sentence, confining him to Wasco State Prison for what would have been at least five years. During his incarceration, Guerrero's arrogance surfaced as he was overheard boasting about committing multiple violent crimes, including three murders. This reckless admission became a pivotal piece of the puzzle.
As his prison term neared its end in 2004, Guerrero submitted a DNA sample to the state's crime lab. This decision proved to be his undoing. In October of that year, the DNA linked him to the murder of Tamara Hernandez. The revelation led to his arrest directly from his jail cell and subsequent extradition to Madera County.
The investigative team didn't stop there. With Guerrero now in custody, they charged him not only with Hernandez's murder but also with the murders of Woodley and Fowler, and the attempted murder of Estrada. The DNA evidence effectively connected him to these crimes, finally bringing a semblance of closure to the victims' families.
Trial and Imprisonment: Justice Served
Jose Guerrero's trial began in April 2009, after being deemed competent to stand trial in March. The courtroom proceedings became the most high-profile case in Madera County since the infamous 1976 Chowchilla kidnapping. Over the course of ten days, the jury found Guerrero guilty of three counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.
Despite the conviction, the victims' families expressed mixed feelings, grateful for the justice served but hesitant about the death penalty. Evelyn Estrada, Guerrero's surviving victim, voiced her belief that he should not be executed. Nevertheless, in June 2009, Guerrero was sentenced to death and transferred to San Quentin State Prison to await execution. However, in 2019, a moratorium on executions by California Governor Gavin Newsom put Guerrero's fate in limbo. As of now, he remains on death row.
Sources
For further reading and details, refer to the original Wikipedia article at Wikipedia: Jose Guerrero (serial killer).
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
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First Murder: Julie Ann Woodley
The body of Julie Ann Woodley is found in an orchard, marking the first known murder linked to Guerrero.
Evelyn Estrada Kidnapped
Evelyn Estrada reports being kidnapped by a man with a knife but manages to escape after a violent struggle.
Second Murder: Sharlene Fowler
The body of Sharlene Fowler is discovered in an orchard, having been strangled to death.
Third Murder: Tamara Hernandez
Tamara Hernandez goes missing; her body is later found, linked to Guerrero's series of murders.
Guerrero Arrested for DUI
Jose Guerrero is arrested for drunk driving, leading to his eventual DNA testing.
DNA Links to Murders
Guerrero's DNA is linked to the murders of Hernandez, Woodley, and Fowler, leading to his arrest.
Trial Begins
Jose Guerrero's trial begins, becoming a high-profile case in Madera County.
Sentenced to Death
Guerrero is sentenced to death after being convicted of three counts of first-degree murder.