Miguel Sandoval pleads responsible to killing 4, torching house

A jilted teen lover has admitted to capturing useless 4 folks in a heinous revenge killing earlier than torching their Lancaster house in an try to cover his disturbing crimes.

Miguel Diego Sandoval, who was simply 19 on the time of the grisly slayings in 2024, entered a responsible plea to the horrendous crimes Friday.

Sandoval, now 21, pleaded responsible to 4 counts of first-degree homicide with particular circumstance allegations of a number of murders and mendacity in wait — he now faces life in jail.

Sandoval creepily lingered out his ex boyfriend’s house on North Tabler Avenue on November 16 and waited till everybody was asleep. He then broke into the house and opened hearth, killing Janvi Maquindang, 21, Christine Aca-ac, 25, Edwin Garcia, 24, and Matthew Montebello, 21.

“This was a calculated act of violence that left a void for the victims’ households that may by no means be stuffed. Relaxation assured this responsible plea will end in a lifetime jail sentence,” Los Angeles County District Lawyer Nathan J. Hochman mentioned Friday.

The victims “had been callously shot as they peacefully slept of their beds,” former DA George Gascón mentioned in 2024.

After gunning down the victims, Sandoval torched the home in a determined bid to cowl his tracks. Three canines had been additionally shot useless earlier than the heartless jilted lover set the home on hearth, authorities mentioned.

“The defendant was jilted when he broke up along with his boyfriend after which did one thing unimaginable when he killed 4 harmless folks,” the DA added.

Authorities revealed the lethal rampage was pushed by bitter vengeance following a messy romantic fallout between Sandoval and an unnamed male relative of the victims.

Contained in the blaze, a terrified 16-year-old lady was trapped in a locked bed room with flames quickly closing in. The courageous teen managed to dial 911, prompting Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies to rescue the survivor the burning constructing.

Montebello was rescued from the burning constructing and rushed to a neighborhood hospital, however died from his accidents.

Montebello’s mom, Maria, advised ABC7 she acknowledged Sandoval as an ex-boyfriend of one of many youthful siblings who lived on the house, however mentioned she had by no means met him. It was not clear if the ex was a type of murdered.

Montebello had only recently celebrated his twenty first birthday, and had dinner along with his mom the night time earlier than he was killed.

“I would like him to be remembered as a sort, loving baby. Very respectful, caring, as a brother, as a mild soul, very good, very proficient,” she mentioned. “Him and his buddies had been making music … that’s how they frolicked. They tried to be inventive.”

Sandoval additionally admitted to felony counts of tried homicide, first-degree residential housebreaking, arson of an inhabited property, three counts of animal cruelty, and two counts of kid abuse underneath circumstances more likely to trigger nice bodily damage or loss of life.

He can be sentenced on November 17 on the Foltz Prison Justice Heart.

---

Obtain The California Submit App, comply with us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters