BENTON COUNTY, Washington – The autopsy results for 17-year-old Angelica Santos and 31-year-old Amber Rodriguez, victims of Elias Huizar, were revealed by the Benton County Coroner’s Office on April 26th.
Santos, discovered deceased in Huizar’s residence on April 22nd, was determined to have been killed by multiple stab wounds. Meanwhile, Rodriguez, a paraeducator at William Wiley Elementary School, was found to have succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds. Rodriguez, the ex-wife of Huizar, was shot in front of the school on the same day as Santos.
Coroner William Leach stated that the exact time of both deaths has not been established. Santos, who was the mother of one-year-old Roman Santos, had her child abducted by Huizar following the murders.
Huizar, previously facing rape charges from February, was expected in court on the day of the tragic events but the hearing was canceled. Additionally, he was charged with first-degree murder as a national manhunt was launched in search of him.
The pursuit concluded on I-5 near Eugene, Oregon, where Huizar took his own life with a gunshot. Thankfully, Roman was rescued and safely reunited with his family.
The tragic events involving Huizar, Santos, and Rodriguez have shocked the community and left many grappling with the senseless violence that unfolded. As authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case, the community mourns the loss of two innocent lives and grapples with the aftermath of such heinous acts.