Victim In Alleged Love Triangle Homicide ID'd By Sonoma Co. Authorities

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Authorities on Tuesday identified the victim in a suspected homicide last week in unincorporated Santa Rosa as Antonio Botelllo-Arreola, 25, of Clearlake. The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office revealed on Saturday that three people — a Clearlake woman, her husband and her son — were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to kill Botello-Arreola, who was found suffering from fatal gunshot wounds Friday morning near the 4500 block of Porter Creek Road.

Sheriff's investigators allege Maria Guadalupe Torres, 40, of Clearlake, was involved in a long-term romantic relationship with Botello-Arreola, and that her 40-year-old husband, Rene Espinoza Martinez Sr., and 20-year-old son, Rene Espinoza Martinez Jr., had recently found out about the relationship and did not approve, said sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Crum.

Botello-Arreola’s body was found down a ravine after sheriff’s office personnel responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle. At the scene was a blue Toyota Previa minivan with bullet holes to the driver’s side, shattered windows, and blood inside and out, Crum said.

Investigators responded and found evidence inside the van linking Botello-Arreola to a room at a motel in Santa Rosa, according to the sergeant.

Investigators went to the motel and upon reviewing check-in information and video surveillance, identified Torres as a suspect.

Based on information obtained through interviews with Torres, her husband and her son, Crum said investigators surmised Torres was allegedly in the minivan with the Botello-Arreola early Friday morning as the pair pulled into a dirt turnout off Porter Creek Road.

Sheriff's officials allege Torres then got out of the vehicle as her husband and son pulled up alongside the minivan.

"They fired a gun from their car into the driver side of the Previa,” Crum said. “The victim was shot and fled out the passenger side of the Previa. He ran to the ravine where he fell and was left for dead."

The trio was arrested and booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of homicide and conspiracy. As of Tuesday, all three remained behind bars on no bail with a court date set for Wednesday afternoon.

RELATED COVERAGE:

• Victim's Lover Among 3 Arrested In Sonoma Co. Homicide: Sheriff's Office
• Body Found On Side Of Sonoma Co. Roadway: Sheriff

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