The bodies of San Diego parents whose mysterious disappearance five days before Christmas struck fear into the hearts of their grown children were found near the Mexican border in an apparent murder-suicide.
Johnny and Melissa Soto, ages 52 and 45, disappeared from their home in San Diego on Wednesday evening, Dec. 20, their children told a local news outlet.
On Tuesday, US Customs and Border Patrol found a car parked in the parking lot of the Golden Acorn Casino in Campo, California with the bodies of a man who had suffered a “self-inflicted gunshot wound” to the head and a woman who died of “injuries undetermined,” San Diego Police said in a press release Wednesday.
As the apparent murder-suicide investigation continues, both bodies were confirmed as Sotos by NBC 7 San Diego.
The tragic discovery came after their children were shocked by the actions of their missing parents and feared something bad had happened to the couple, whose marriage was on the rocks.
“It felt like a normal night,” Vincent, the youngest, told the station the night they went missing, Dec. 20. “[Johnny] just sitting here watching TV, like he always does.”
“And my parents, they always talk,” he continued. “He asked me, ‘Hey, Vinny, can you go for a minute? We will talk.’ So I left home, assuming nothing.”
Johnny Soto and his wife, Melissa, disappeared from San Diego shortly before Christmas, their children said. Facebook/Christina Sandoval-soto Melissa Soto and her husband had just split up, but there was no ill will, the children added. Facebook/Melissa Soto
About two hours later, Vinny’s dad texted him that it was clear to come back because they had left the house.
That was the last time anyone saw them, the affiliate said.
A few hours passed, and the couple – who reportedly separated in July after 20 years of marriage – never returned.
“We all had high hopes that they would at least be back for Christmas,” Alexia Soto, 23, the couple’s eldest daughter, told the outlet.
The children called the police, and also called their aunt, Christina Sandoval.
Sandoval told the network that the parents walked away with nothing.
“They went without clothes,” he said. “They left without taking anything. All the clothes he used to wear, like the sweats he had in the bedroom. His phone was left here. His wallet was left here. His keys were left here, and then his phone was turned off about 15 to 20 minutes after he left.”
Both have been missing since December 20. Gofundme Melissa and Johnny often go to his truck and talk as they drive, the child said. Facebook/Melissa Soto
A neighbor’s ringing doorbell camera recorded their last moments in the house.
At about 8:50 p.m., Melissa’s car pulled into the driveway and someone got out, according to neighbor Raymond Arzola.
“You can tell most likely the guy because of the blue jeans and jacket,” he told NBC. “I usually see Johnny wearing a blue jacket.”
About an hour and a half later, his car pulled out of the driveway, then parked in reverse.
The three children — Vincent, Elise and Alexia — hold the family’s puppy as they talk to the new station. NBC
Another neighbor’s surveillance video showed the garage door and car trunk open a short time later. Johnny went back and forth to the car at about 10:30pm before driving away.
The loss must have been unusual for a couple who had remained on good terms, despite marital problems, family members said.
“Even though they broke up, it’s like there’s no issue between them at all,” Alexia Soto told ABC 10. “They’re still in touch. They’re still talking. He’s coming [to Johnny’s house] and speak.”
The missing couple’s family has remained frozen since their disappearance, the NBC station said.
The family’s presents are still under the Christmas tree — the siblings say opening them is too painful.
The Sotos were married for 20 years before they separated in July, the family said. NBC
The Sandovals started an online fundraiser to pay for their puppy, buy groceries and cover any bills that may arise, the outlet said.
Melissa’s mom shared her scary premonition to a local station.
“I think he’s asking for help,” Concepcion Romero Domingo told NBC. “You know when you wake up and your heart is so sad because he’s asking for help. And I told him, ‘Hold on. They’re going to find you because they want to find you.’”
San Diego police did not immediately respond to the Post’s inquiry.
This is a developing story
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
