On May 11, 2023, 29-year-old Monique Aldridge was fatally shot in her Hayward, California, home on Cassia Way. Her ex-husband, 33-year-old Vaughn Boatner of San Mateo, is alleged to have entered the residence and shot Aldridge multiple times in the head. Aldridge's 28-year-old boyfriend, who was present during the incident, was also shot and critically injured but survived. Aldridge's 5-year-old son with Boatner was in the home at the time but was unharmed and did not witness the shootings.
An autopsy revealed that Aldridge was in the early stages of pregnancy at the time of her death. According to a probable cause warrant, Boatner allegedly committed the shooting after learning of her pregnancy. Family members reported being unaware of any ongoing conflicts between Aldridge and Boatner, noting that the former couple shared custody of their son and had been divorced for several years.
Following the incident, Boatner fled the scene, prompting a manhunt by law enforcement agencies. On May 22, 2023, he was apprehended by U.S. Marshals in a residential neighborhood in Seattle, Washington. Boatner faces charges including murder, attempted murder, child endangerment, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He is being held without bail and awaits extradition to California to stand trial.
The Alameda County District Attorney's Office has indicated that, due to the egregious nature of the crime, they plan to apply major gun enhancements to Boatner's charges. If convicted, he could face a sentence of 50 years to life for murder and an additional 32 years to life for attempted murder.
Aldridge's family continues to mourn her loss, remembering her as a dedicated mother and accomplished individual. She graduated from UC Davis with a degree in biology and worked in healthcare, operating her own personal training business. The family plans to support nonprofit organizations that assist domestic violence victims in her memory.
