Angelina Camillia Gonzales, Asuza, California cheerleader stabbed to death by her ex boyfriend who family members had warned her to stay away from.
A California cheerleader was stabbed to death after meeting up with her ex-boyfriend whom family members had warned her to stay away from.
Angelina Camillia Gonzales, 17, was killed on Friday at her ex’s home in Azusa, according to the Azusa Police Department.
The suspect, an unidentified 18-year-old, picked up Gonzales – ‘a dedicated member’ of Azusa High School’s cheer squad – following a cheerleading banquet that night.
Asuza cheerleader had been warned ‘numerous’ times to stay away from ex boyfriend
After failing to respond to myriad texts, a concerned family member tracked Gonzales’ cell phone to his home, but by the time, step-father, Robert Caraballo arrived, it was too late, the 17 year old had been viciously stabbed to death.
‘When I got there, there was already crime scene tape up and forensics and all kinds of stuff,’ Caraballo told KABC.
‘And I ran up to the officers like, “Hey, my daughter’s in there. You know, my daughter is in there. I’m trying to find her. She’s not home.” And that’s when they told me, “Sit aside for a minute”,’ the step-father recalled.
Officers responded to the home on the 300 block of North Soldano Avenue around 10pm, where they found Gonzales suffering from multiple stab wounds.
She was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead, the department said. Her ex-boyfriend was arrested shortly after the fatal stabbing.
Her stepfather said he warned the teen to stay away from her ex-boyfriend numerous times, with the step-father saying Angelina ‘had a big heart’ that would often find the good in others.
Her brother, Ruben Torress remembered his sister as someone who was ‘always bubbly, happy, funny personality. Always cracking jokes.
‘It’s unreal, like just the fact that you know, anyone could bring themselves to harm just such a sweet and loving, funny person,’ Torress added.
Beloved daughter remembered amid fundraiser
Along with being a cheerleader, Gonzales had just joined the high school wrestling team and won her very first match.
Though she enjoyed both sports, her step-father said her biggest passion was cheerleading.
‘She was practicing at home and wanted to be on another stunt team. And that was like her heart cheering for a long time,’ Caraballo told the outlet.
She was also very successful academically, as the Azusa Unified School District called her an ‘extraordinary artist’ who won first place at the Congressional Art Competition in June.
Gonzales was also awarded the Judge’s choice Award in 2022. Her artwork is currently on display in the U.S. Capital, the district noted in an Instagram post.
‘Her creative talents and vibrant personality enriched our community in countless ways,’ the district added.
The late cheerleader’s mother, Letica Pimentel Caraballo, created a GoFundMe page in honor of Gonzales.
Wrote the parent in part, ‘She had such a great future ahead of her. She had a heart of gold. She was my perfect gorgeous Angel baby. I don’t even have the words to say. I can’t even cope. I need her. Our family is devastated. We appreciate all the support and love. Thank you all.’
The family is also raising money by hosting a car wash and bake sale on Saturday at the VFW in Azusa from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office is currently handling the investigation into the teen’s murder and has asked the public to contact the department if they have any information on the incident.
