On June 24, 2024, after approximately two years in a dating relationship, Jose Carmen Cardona threatened to kill Lizbeth Gutierrez-Salazar after she ended their relationship and, along with her three sons—Max (14), Julian (10), and Juan (7)—went to stay at her father’s residence.

During the early morning hours of June 25, 2024, at approximately 6:17 a.m., the Stockton Fire Department responded to a reported residential fire. After extinguishing the flames, firefighters located three victims inside the home, later identified as Lizbeth, Julian, and Juan. All three died as a result of the fire.

The surviving child, Max, reported that he was awakened by a noise and saw the defendant inside the residence. As he ran after him, he heard his mother yelling and saw the home engulfed in flames. The fire also spread to an adjacent residence, causing additional property damage.

On February 23, 2026, Cardona pleaded guilty to the following charges and was sentenced to Life Without the Possibility of Parole for each count, to be served consecutively.

Counts 1, 2, 3: Premeditated, deliberate, and willful first-degree murder with special circumstances: 1) Murder by torture, 2) Murder by arson, 3) Multiple victims

Count 4: Premeditated, deliberate, and willful attempted murder (surviving victim). Sentence: Life term, consecutive to the above counts.

Count 5: Child abuse/endangerment. Sentence: Stayed due to the same victim as Count 4.

Count 6: Arson of an inhabited structure with special circumstance of arson causing great bodily injury to more than one victim.

Counts 7 & 8: Vandalism of two residences.

San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas said:

“Today, we have secured a measure of justice for Lisbeth Gutierrez-Salazar and her two innocent young sons, Juan and Julian, whose lives were brutally taken in an act of unimaginable cruelty while they slept in their own home. While no sentence can ever bring back this devoted mother and her children or erase the pain inflicted on their surviving family, the defendant’s decision to accept responsibility provides an immediate and final resolution in this case and ensures he will face severe, permanent consequences for these heinous crimes. At the request of the victims’ family, we respected their wishes in reaching this conclusion. Our hearts remain with them as they continue to grieve, and we will always stand ready to hold accountable those who commit such violence against the most vulnerable among us.”

Thank you to Deputy District Attorney Janet Smith, the Stockton Police Department, the Stockton Fire Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service Task Force for their dedication and collaboration throughout this investigation.

This resolution holds the defendant fully accountable for the devastating loss of life and the lasting trauma inflicted on the surviving victim and our community.