Whittier Shooting, Kidnapping: Autopsy of Andrea Vazquez, 19, Complete as Murder Investigation Continues After Suspect's Arrest
Loved ones are mourning the tragic loss of Andrea Vazquez.
Aug. 25 2023, Published 5:00 p.m. ET
The autopsy of Andrea Vazquez, a missing 19-year-old California woman who was tragically found dead in what police believe was a random attack, is now completed, RadarOnline.com can exclusively reveal.
The Riverside County Coroner's Office confirmed the examination of Vazquez was conducted on Thursday, August 24, as scheduled. The coroner investigates and reports on all violent, sudden, or unusual deaths of persons within the county, per California law.
Her body was found on August 21.
A cause of death has not yet been disclosed amid the ongoing investigation into the shooting-kidnapping incident.
"It's a pain nobody deserves. She was my everything," Vazquez's mother, Anna Vazquez, told CBS Los Angeles.
On Monday, the suspected gunman, Gabriel Esparza, a 20-year-old Whittier resident, was brought into custody around 3 PM after being arrested at his Lakeview workplace.
Police have charged Gabriel Esparza with her murder.
He has been hit with seven charges including one count of murder, one count of willful, deliberate and premeditated, attempted murder; one count of kidnapping to commit rape; one count of kidnapping; one count of assault with intent to commit rape; and two counts of attempted forcible rape, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
"Additionally, special circumstances of murder during the course of a kidnapping and murder during the course of an attempted rape are alleged," it was stated.
Vazquez's remains were later discovered in a vegetation field off Alessandro Boulevard and Merwin Street in Moreno Valley around 11:50 PM on Monday.
It was a heartbreaking development in the case after Vazquez and her boyfriend were targeted just after midnight on Sunday. There is no known connection between the suspect and victim, and police believe they were chosen at random.
Friends of Vazquez shared her missing person's report to help investigators.
At the time, the pair were sitting in a parked car at Penn Park in Whittier when the suspect approached and opened fire.
Esparza allegedly kidnapped Vasquez from the scene and drove off with her in the bed of his pickup truck. He is believed to have driven her to a remote area of Moreno Valley in Riverside County, where he allegedly attempted to rape her before dumping her body in a field, a press release stated.
Esparza pleaded not guilty at an arraignment and is being held on no bail.
Never miss a story — sign up for the RadarOnline.com newsletter to get your daily dose of dope. Daily. Breaking. Celebrity news. All free.
The community is devastated by her tragic murder.
Never Miss an
Daily updates from the heart of Hollywood, right to your inbox
By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
If convicted of the charges, Esparza faces a maximum penalty of life without the possibility of parole.
Since the horrific tragedy, a GoFundMe for her grieving loved ones has raised nearly $40k as of Friday.
"She was my best friend," Vazquez's older sister, Edlyn Vazquez, shared of her beloved sibling.
Powered by RedCircle
