On Tuesday, Jose Rafael Solano Landaeta was found guilty of a grotesque crime committed on September 8, 2022. Landaeta was convicted for beheading his girlfriend in a public area in San Carlos, as reported by the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office.
Jose Rafael Solano Landaeta (34) found guilty by a jury of 1st degree murder with use of a sword.
— San Mateo County District Attorney (@SanMateoCoDA) November 20, 2023
Landaeta beheaded his girlfriend on the street in San Carlos on September 8, 2022. pic.twitter.com/H4AuncdEgD
As detailed in an ABC7 news report, the victim, who was a young mother, had obtained a temporary restraining order against Landaeta. Her two children were inside their home and did not witness the horrific event. The incident happened during broad daylight.
The case revealed a history of domestic violence that led up to the final tragic act.
Among the residents of San Carlos, this crime has had a profound impact. Community members struggle to comprehend the events leading up to such a horrific act. One resident named Terry Adams asked, "Why? Why did it happen?" Authorities in San Mateo County are also grappling with the task of providing psychological support for witnesses, the victim's family, and her two bereaved children, per ABC7 News.
