California DOJ assisted in investigation
STOCKTON – Following a nationwide manhunt, on July 11, 2024. Jose Carmen Cardona was found and arrested in connection with the murders of three people and the attempted murder of another.
On June 25th, 2024 at approximately 6:38 a.m., the Stockton Fire Department responded to the area of Visalia Court and Harbor Street for a fifth-wheel trailer fully involved in flames. During the suppression of that fire, firefighters discovered the bodies of Lisbeth Gutierrez-Salazar, 32, Juan Gutierrez-Salazar, 10, and Julian Cardona-Gutierrez, 7. One child was able to flee the fire and survived.
Homicide investigators with the Stockton Police Department and arson investigators with the Stockton Fire Department soon determined that the victims were killed in the fire and that Jose Carmen Cardona was responsible. Jose Carmen Cardona was in a dating relationship with Lisbeth, the children were not his biological children.
On June 28, 2024, the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office filed a 5-count arrest warrant for Jose Carmen Cardona. A nationwide manhunt was initiated with the assistance of the US Marshalls Fugitive Apprehension Taskforce and following a tip, Cardona was apprehended in Modesto.
Cardona is charged with 3 murders, 1 attempted murder, and child endangerment. The Office of the District Attorney has filed 3 special circumstances (multiple murder, arson, and torture). These allegations make Cardona, eligible for the death penalty.
The San Joaquin County District Attorney praised the unparalleled commitment of the men and women of the Stockton Police Department, Stockton Fire Department, District Attorney Bureau of Investigations, the US Marshall’s Fugitive Apprehension Taskforce, and the California Department of Justice.
“This was an around the clock effort for many days by law enforcement officers who removed a very dangerous person from our streets and communities. We thank them for their exhaustive efforts and we are keeping the victims’ family members in our thoughts as they travel through this time of extreme grief and pursue justice for their loved ones,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.
