Christina Garcia, 23, of Chula Vista, California, was found dead in a field near the 3100 block of Main Street on the morning of August 5, 2020. Her body had multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators reported she had been associated with David Angulo and was believed to have been in an SUV with him shortly before a police pursuit on July 20, 2020, that ended with Angulo shot and killed by Chula Vista police after he pointed a gun at officers.

Prosecutors told the court they believed Christina had been targeted because some people thought she had provided information leading to Angulo’s death. Vanesa Gastellu, 31, was arrested and charged in connection with Christina’s killing; prosecutors alleged Gastellu took Christina to the field and acted out of revenge. The defense said Gastellu was framed by other gang members. Testimony at trial described threats Christina had received and that she told her mother about threats the night before she was killed.

Gastellu ultimately pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and kidnapping and was sentenced to 10 years and four months in state prison. Was anyone in Christina’s circle aware of the threats she reported the night before she was killed?