Pregnant Teen Discovers Mom Killed Her Boyfriend | Forensic Files

Yes. Did he already tell you? >> Yeah. >> Okay. You're lost. >> This is 17-year-old Elizabeth Pavonado.
A few hours ago, her boyfriend was found mysteriously shot dead in a back alley.
>> She's not. >> Yeah. She wants to talk about the person that did it. She's pregnant.
Tragically, Elizabeth is also pregnant with their child. Her mother, Ortiz Chavez, is trying to comfort her
daughter. What Elizabeth doesn't know yet is that her mother is hiding a dark secret that will ruin the family's life.
>> Your mom's car is on video, leaving the homicide. >> You seriously think that they did it?
>> Yes. My mom My mom loved that child. As detectives work the case, more and more
clues start pointing towards Elizabeth's family. And as she learns that her own family are now suspected killers, all
she can do is deny the accusations while her mother sacrifices her own children to hide what she's done.
>> All right, then. Do you want to talk? It's a quiet Friday morning in downtown
Albuquerque. A 16-year-old boy walks alone through a back alley on his way to work, unaware that a killer is waiting
for him inside one of the parked cars. Then a single gunshot rings out, striking the teenager in the head and
killing him instantly while the shooter disappears from the scene. Within minutes, multiple 911 calls start
flooding in, reporting the gunfire. Patrol units quickly respond to the area, and as officers turn down the
alley, they're met with a grim scene. Lying on the pavement is a teenage boy, motionless with blood pooling beneath
his head. The victim shows no signs of life and appears to have a gunshot wound visible just above his temple. Whatever
happened in this alley happened fast, and whoever pulled the trigger is already gone. Officers call it in and
begin securing the perimeter. With no weapon in sight and no ID on the body, they now need to figure out who he is
and why he ended up here. Backup units soon arrive and start canvasing the area, looking for anyone who might have
heard or seen [music] what happened. And before long, two witnesses come forward
claiming they saw something strange right after the gunshot. Did you where is he?
>> I didn't hear anything. >> One of them is a light-skinned male. >> He turns around, runs back to the alley,
and takes off down the street. >> I just saw strange that aren't usually here. I just went around and I noticed
some weird activity and I just had this gut-wrenching feeling that someone was about to get shot because there were
just weird people back here. And I saw this kid, this guy right here who shot, he was over here talking to some girl
and last minute I saw him there. I turned the corner and I heard a gunshot when I was on this side of the road. So
then I came back over here and cars down. >> You heard one shot. >> According to witnesses, a single gunshot
was fired, followed by a group of teenagers scrambling in every direction. One of them was seen jumping into a car
with a girl before speeding away. The information is vague, but it gives police a starting point. Detectives soon
arrive at the scene and launch a formal homicide investigation. While examining the body, they notice something odd
about the victim. He's still wearing an apron, the kind used by restaurant staff, suggesting he might have worked
nearby. That small detail sends them straight across the street to the only restaurant in sight, Lindy's Diner.
Inside, the owners immediately recognize the victim. His name is Jose J. Ruiz, 16
years old, a dishwasher who'd only started a few weeks earlier. They tell police Jay's grandfather is a regular
customer, and officers are able to call him and ask him to come down to the scene.
When Jay's grandfather arrives, detectives have to break the tragic news to him, but what he tells them about
Jay's life will start to hint at darker things he may have been involved in. Um,
so I I don't know if anybody's told you this and I was trying to to see if yours
and obviously uh is that how you say it? >> Yeah. Pass. So that's that's what we're
here for is we're here to try to figure out what happened and and try to do it the best we can by.
All right. Um, he's your grandson too, correct? >> Okay. He was involved with something,
but I could never get the truth from him. I could never get the truth. There there was one friend that he was
involved with that, you know, um I really didn't um approve of. I was just getting ready to walk out, you know,
taking somewhere out job or whatever, >> right? [snorts] >> Although the news clearly breaks him, he
takes it with quiet strength, telling [music] detectives that his grandson had been involved in something lately that
might be what got him killed. And as the conversation continues, he mentions one
more heartbreaking detail. Jay wasn't just a teenager with secrets. He was about to become a father.
>> He asked me over there at my apartment and um his girlfriend at your apartment
right now. >> Yeah. He called me this morning and told me, "Hey, you're going to see a great
grandpa is what he told me." So, >> no kidding. His who his girlfriend? >> Um I think it's Maldonado.
She's at your apartment >> right now. Yeah. >> The revelation only adds to the tragedy.
Jay's girlfriend, 17-year-old Elizabeth Baldonado, is pregnant with his child and [music] has no idea that he's gone.
Investigators plan to speak with her later, but for now, they allow Jay's grandfather to leave the scene and
deliver the news himself, telling her that detectives [music] will be in touch soon. If anyone can explain what Jay had
been caught up in, it's her. About an hour later, the homicide case is officially assigned to Detective Anna
Bruciaga as the lead investigator. After reviewing the initial reports and witness statements, she begins canvasing
the area for any surveillance footage that might reveal what happened. It doesn't take long before officers locate
a camera mounted outside a nearby school, angled directly towards the alley where the shooting took place.
When they sit down to review the footage, they finally get their first visual clue of Jay's killers.
>> So, these are all the cameras that are two systems, the digital and the analog.
The analog sucks. So, there's a fair warning. This faces the alleyway. Once the shot happens, the people loading the
vehicle will react since the individual walks the vehicle somewhere right here. >> So, he just walked to the passenger side
>> and they react. Is this victim? It's like a Toyota. >> On screen, a gold Toyota sedan can be
seen racing away seconds after the gunshot. And through the tinted glass, detectives can barely make out what
appears to be two figures inside the vehicle, meaning there are at least two suspects on the loose. [music]
A couple of hours later, detectives arrive at the apartment where Jay's girlfriend, Elizabeth, is staying. They
believe she might help them understand what Jay had been caught up in. But they have no idea that they'll soon come face
to face with one of Jay's killers. Someone far closer to him than anyone imagined.
>> Do you mind if we come in here? >> Yeah. [snorts] Lost. I know that obviously he
was possibly having some issues with some people, right? Can you tell me about that?
>> He doesn't really tell me much about that stuff. >> So, let's start with today. What did you
guys do today? >> He took a shower at like 8:00. He was getting ready to go to work at
10:00. I was making appointments today because we found out that we that I'm [music] pregnant. Well, he was texting
me still until at least around 12:00 and then he stopped answering me for few hours.
>> The timeline Elizabeth provides lines up with the shooting. Around 11:20 a.m. is
when Jay stopped responding to her messages, the same time investigators believe he was killed. Beyond that,
Elizabeth doesn't offer much, saying Jay often kept to himself and never told her
what he was doing. To detectives, it sounds like Jay might have gotten himself involved in something he didn't
want anyone else to know about. Maybe a deal that went wrong or a confrontation that escalated. Whatever it was, it's
likely what got him killed. Or at least that's what it seems at first. Because Elizabeth isn't telling the full story.
Not yet. And the next thing she remembers won't just give detectives a new lead. It'll start turning suspicion
towards Elizabeth and her own family. >> A little bit from what I got gathered from Grandpa is that he feels [snorts]
that he was up to no good lately. Can you tell me about that? This morning, him and my brother were supposed to box
it out because this has nothing to do with this at all. My brother and him just don't get along.
They bump heads very much. But my brother would never do this. He knows how I feel about Jane.
>> And which brother? >> My younger brother. Your younger brother. What's his name?
>> Angelo. Tell me a little bit about why they were going to lock it down. >> Um, me and Jay, we were arguing about
something. [music] I don't remember what, but we started getting really loud and my brother got tired of it, so he
came in and told him to stop yelling at me and then they just started fighting and physically fighting.
>> No. No. No. >> So, did they text each other that they were going to fight or No. Um, Jamie
called me and told my mom that he wanted to box it out with my brother. >> According to Elizabeth, her brother
Angelo was supposed to box it out with her boyfriend Jay that morning. A teenage fight meant to settle whatever
tension had been building between them. Although the fight never happened, and Elizabeth insists it has nothing to do
with the homicide, it suggests the conflict could have been personal. Investigators will now have to follow up
on this and look into Angelo's involvement before ruling him out. But before the conversation can continue any
further with Elizabeth, Jay's family arrives at the apartment. Word of the shooting has already reached them, but
they still haven't received an official confirmation from police. Detective Anna
Bruciaga has no choice but to break the tragic news to Jay's mother. a moment that no amount of experience could ever
prepare anyone for. >> Can you tell us what's going on? >> Um yeah, absolutely. First and foremost,
I'm sorry for your lost. Okay. Um right now I don't have much other than [music]
um officers were dispatched to um the alleyway in reference to being away. >> What [music] happened?
>> That's why I'm So we just got called out. That's why I'm trying to interview as many people [music]
um as I can. That's why I headed here first and then I was headed your way [music] because I do have some
questions. Um but as of right now, I don't know. Okay. I I really >> Thank you. >> [clears throat]
[snorts] >> With the devastating news [music] delivered, Detective Anna Brussiaga
tries to gather any insight from Jay's family, but they don't seem to have any. Even his mother can't imagine who would
want to hurt him, leaving detectives with no clear leads or motives to work with. As investigators collect Jay's
phone and prepare to leave, another woman walks into the apartment, Ortiz Chavez, looking to comfort her daughter.
Detective Bruciaga sits down with her to collect some basic information. A casual
conversation at first until Chavez mentions a small detail that catches the detective's attention and quietly puts
her on the radar. >> What kind of car do you drive? >> I drive. >> Yeah. [music]
It fell down on me. I just put whatever. I just purchases purchased it. >> Yeah. You have a plate on it.
>> No, I don't. They took our take the stuff off. They took it off [snorts] the chin tag. They
>> Yeah, they took it off the car >> where you said it. >> Yeah. So, earlier this morning, it broke
down on her and then she just left it there. >> As Chavez describes her vehicle,
Detective Bruce Yiaga immediately recognizes the description. A gold Toyota sedan, similar to the one caught
on surveillance footage speeding away just seconds after the shooting. The connection is hard to ignore. Bruceiaga
notes the details, but decides it's too early to jump to conclusions. Wanting to
verify it as quickly as possible, she wraps up the initial interview with the family and heads out with officers to
the spot where Chavez abandoned her car that morning. When they arrive, the car is nowhere to be found, and Bruceiaga
starts suspecting Chavez might be hiding something. About 40 minutes later, investigators return to the apartment to
interview Chavez privately. And that's when things start to get interesting. By now, it's only been a few hours since
Jay was killed, and most detectives would still be collecting statements, but Bruceiaga's instincts tell her
there's no time to waste. So [music] she sits down with Chavez and makes a bold accusation.
>> So here's the thing, okay? So I believe your car was used in today's homicide.
>> Okay. >> You're lying to me. >> No, I am not. >> So you stole my car. >> That's why I'm talking to you. Okay. So
if you don't tell me who had your car, >> I don't know. >> It's your car. I left my car. It's at
the [music] side of the road. Okay. I didn't land my car in a way. >> Detective Bruceiaga is quick to connect
the dots, suspecting that it's Chavez's car that was speeding away, but Chavez claims she abandoned it and it must have
been stolen. However, the detective is about to take things [music] one step further. Because if Chavez's car was
used in the murder, the next logical question is who was behind the wheel? And with what Elizabeth revealed about
the planned fight that morning, there's only one name that fits. Chavez's son, Angelo. So, what I'm getting at is that
what are the odds that your son and his friends have a problem with Jay and Jay is now dead
and people are telling me it's your car on scene. But my son said he wouldn't and neither
with Javon and I was with them today. >> Okay. So, you were with them all day? [music]
>> Yes. My son had an interview at 9:00 and we were over at the water burger over
there at Cotton or whatever. [clears throat] >> You drop him off? >> No, I didn't leave the water burger.
>> Okay. So, you waited for him to be done? >> Yes. And we went back together to my
house. >> Okay. Then you guys go back to the house. >> Mhm. >> Okay. and he stayed there and I left
[music] with myself the car to go see Elizabeth. Chavez's morning timeline only reinforces the detective
suspicions. If she really abandoned her car around 10:30 that morning and it [music] suddenly vanished, then there's
a very high chance it's the same gold Toyota caught on CCTV later when Jay was shot. Witnesses also reported seeing a
young male and female inside the car. And with Chavez having both a teenage son, Angelo, and a daughter, Elizabeth,
things are starting to look very suspicious for her family. For now, though, all of this remains as
just early suspicion. After all, detectives know Jay had been hiding things. He was secretive [music] and
clearly mixed up in something he wasn't telling anyone about. But there's something eerily strange about Chavez's
demeanor that Detective Bruceiaga can't ignore. Even after being told her son might be involved in a homicide, she
stays quiet, almost detached. Not the kind of reaction you'd expect from a mother facing that sort of accusation.
And the longer the conversation goes, the more convinced Bruceiaga becomes that the mother sitting in front of her
knows more than she's letting on. So, the detective decides to take an even bigger risk this time. and make an
accusation that most investigators would hesitate to ask this early on. >> So, did you shoot?
>> No, I didn't. >> No, he's a kid. He's a baby. >> I know, but somebody did. >> But I [music] No,
>> but I also feel like you know more than you're telling me. But I know >> because again I'm telling you based on
[music] your demeanor I think you know what happened and I know it's your car [music]
and I am going to confirm it on video surveillance. >> I hope you do because I'm like really
I'm like being lost right now. >> Again Chavez's reaction isn't what Detective Bruceiaga expects at all.
Instead of breaking down or reacting defensively, she simply denies it with a sorrowful face. This response leaves
Brucei Yaga torn between two possibilities. Either Chavez is innocent but in complete shock, struggling to
process what's happening, or she's carefully keeping her composure to hide a guilty conscience and protect her
children. Either way, she sticks to her story and with nothing concrete so far, the interview comes to an end. But even
without proof, Bruceiaga can't shake the feeling that her instincts are right. that one of Jay's killers is sitting in
this very apartment. With her doubts only growing, Bruceiaga decides to move quickly and verify
Chavez's version of events with the one person who can either confirm or contradict it, her son, Angelo. Within
an hour, investigators head straight to Angelo's workplace to talk to him in person. Whatever he tells detectives
will either clear his family or make things even worse for them. So, there was a shooting downtown today and
somebody died. So, I know that you knew him. Um, so I is I think he was actually
somebody that you knew because he was dating your sister. >> Talking about Jake.
>> Yeah. Is he alive? >> No, he's not. He's dead. So, I just wanted to find out from you just a
little bit. >> Can you tell? Are you talking to his grandfather? >> Okay. Yeah, for sure. So explain to me
what this whole like your mom and your sister explained like this beef between you and Jay. So explain that.
>> We had a problem. We had a kiss and like I said we had we had fun and we didn't
really like talk after that reason. >> Yeah. >> So your sister tells your mom, your mom
tells you that Jay wants to fight. >> So when did you guys come to me? >> I didn't plan nothing. He assumed and I
was just fighting. We're good. We had all this. We had on this great he said he wanted to do
>> today. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And she You mean your mom said? >> That's what he told me. That's what Jay
told me. Like that's what Jay told to tell my sister to tell me. But so long until I got told
>> that you're supposed to meet. Where were you guys supposed to meet? He just said they wanted more fighting.
You already talked to me, so I assume you got more. >> Angelo confirms most of what detectives
have already heard from his sister and mother, saying Jay wanted to box it out that morning, but the fight never
happened. Beyond that, there isn't much new information, and his version of events lines up neatly with his mother's
timeline. For now, their stories seem consistent. But until those details can be verified, Detective Bruciaga knows
she has to take everything they've said at face value. However, before investigators can dig deeper, Angelo's
mother suddenly walks in. And this time, she's far less cooperative. >> He's not even
talking to him. He's fine. Um, but he's not in trouble. So, he doesn't he doesn't have to be 18 for us to talk to
him. Are you still missing the bar? >> I mean, it's up to him. If he doesn't want you here, if he doesn't have to
have you here, >> huh? >> Yeah, my sister and the bar is here. I had to have him go pick up.
>> So, there is one thing that we are going to need just like we told your sister.
We're doing it here. >> So, we're going to take care. >> I read it. >> No, >> I don't have a phone.
>> But your daughter investigation like I explained to you earlier, Elizabeth, I'm
taking your phone. You're not giving me it back until I'm done with this. But as
soon as I'm done with it, I will give it back to you. Do you want me to take you
to go find where your farmer was left? Because we've been all over there and we can't find it anywhere.
>> Well, I'm going to go shortly, but I want to make sure that my kids and my family get home. And right now, my
biggest concern is I just want to go home. >> What's your greatest concern? >> I don't go home.
>> No, you absolutely go home. Despite investigators attempts to convince her otherwise, Chavez insists
on taking Angelo home, even if her intentions are innocent, this sudden change in behavior doesn't help their
case at all. If anything, it makes it look like an attempt to shield her son from further questioning. With the
interview shut down, officers seize the family's phones, hoping digital evidence
might reveal what they're not saying out loud. Back at the police station, detectives
spend the next couple of weeks combing through statements, surveillance footage, and phone data. What they find
begins to reshape the entire case. Among the first discoveries are text messages
showing that Chavez was directly involved in arranging the so-called boxing match between her son, Angelo,
and her daughter's boyfriend, Jay. In one exchange, Elizabeth texts Jay saying that mom says they'll be there at 8.
Other messages suggest there may have been a gun involved. In one text, Elizabeth writes, "I'll be there, too,
because I don't want anything like they pull a gun out." Investigators also uncover signs that Jay and Elizabeth's
relationship was deteriorating with both of them talking about breaking up. In one message, Jay tells her directly,
"I'll talk to you when it comes to the baby, but I ain't doing this with you anymore." But even more alarming were
the contradictions in the family's statements. Elizabeth told detectives her boyfriend didn't leave the house
until 10 that morning. Yet Jay's phone shows him texting others about Angelo not showing up as early as 8:00. In one
of those messages, Jay texts a friend. They didn't show. 8:00, the mom said, and it's 9. Man, her family's a bunch of
I swear. Additionally, detectives uncover another name that hadn't come up before. Elizabeth's older brother,
Gilbert. In his messages, Gilbert expresses anger towards Jay and even makes promises of retaliation. By the
end of the review, Detective Bruciaga becomes convinced that the entire family might be involved in planning what
happened that day. Now, it's no longer a question of what happened, but who did it and exactly why.
In the days following Jay's murder, investigators were at a standstill. Because Angelo and Elizabeth are still
minors, their mother refuses to let them speak with police, effectively blocking
detectives from getting any answers directly from them. But 20 days after the shooting, that changes. Jay's
girlfriend, Elizabeth Baldonado, turns 18 years old, and her mother can no longer stop her from talking. Detective
Bruceiaga seizes the opportunity and convinces her to come down to the station to see the new evidence they've
uncovered. Carefully leaving out that it's evidence pointing towards her own family. The goal is simple. Find out who
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to Elizabeth's interrogation. This time, detectives plan [music] to double down on the accusations instead of playing
nice. But this will soon backfire because unlike her mother, Elizabeth's reaction will be very different. [music]
>> Now that some time has passed and you've had time to think about it, Elizabeth,
I want to hear what happened [music] cuz I think you know more than you told me that day.
>> I don't know anything. I really don't. Why would you [music] guys assume that? Why would I know
anything new about that? >> Because I have your phones and I've looked through your phones.
And so I I I do believe you know more. [music] >> What would I know more about? About
about who killed him, about who did it? No, I don't know. >> I really don't know who did it.
>> If I knew who did it, I would have told you already. So, I know that you and him were having
some problems and he broke up with you and you wanted to get back with him and he told you no. [music] I will talk to
you when it comes to the baby, but that is it. And he wanted nothing to do with you.
>> So, you're that I had someone do something to him? >> Are you serious? >> Okay, here's the thing. Okay, you have
to realize I'm investigating anything in the world. I would never do anything like that.
I would never have anyone do anything like that because I loved him more than my whole life.
>> And actually, I do know that cuz you guys texted I love you so much tons. So,
I do know that. Okay. But you have to understand, Elizabeth, I'm investigating his homicide. Somebody killed him. Okay.
Have you ever watched homicide shows? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. So, you have to know that if
any if I see anything like that on the phone, you have to know that I have to ask you these questions
because at this point, I have gone through your phone. I have gone through your brother's phone. I have gone
through phone. I have gone through other things. And I have [music] to ask these
questions because I have a feeling you know more than you're telling me. >> I don't. I really don't. I don't know
anything more than I'm telling you. As planned, there is no small talk or warm-up. Right away, Detective Bruciaga
tells Elizabeth she's not being fully honest. The approach is blunt, and it's clearly hitting a nerve as Elizabeth
quickly grows defensive. But Bruceyaga isn't backing off just yet. She's about to bet everything on her next move,
laying out every piece of evidence she has against the family in hopes of eliciting an admission from Elizabeth.
Okay. So, you brought up that your brother Gilbert had mentioned and said that he was going to send someone up
there to take care of, >> but he didn't because my brother knows that if he were to do anything, I would
never speak to him again or [music] at all. >> I would have him part of my life at all.
>> So, Gilbert didn't do it. >> Why would my brother do it? My brother literally knows how I feel about my
about him. >> So, I'm pretty sure you've been in the household and have heard conversations.
>> Correct. [music] >> Heard what? >> Anything? Anything I talked about? >> They do not talk about anything.
>> Okay. So, where is your mom's car? >> I don't know. You're seriously assuming
that one of my family members did it because the car is missing? She literally filed a report that her car
was missing [music] that night. >> Okay. So, you say you love Postway, right? And he's the love of your life.
So, why are you covering for your mom and your brother? >> I'm not covering for anybody. Are you
[ __ ] serious? [music] You seriously think that they did it? >> Yes. >> My mom My mom loved that child, too.
>> Okay, maybe not for my brother. >> What if I told you that your mom's car is on video leading the homicide?
What if I told you that? >> You know how many Toyota Camry's that are gold live in the city?
>> Well, what are [music] the odds that your brother and >> My brother My brother were was at home.
My brother was at home with his girlfriend. [music] They were literally sleeping until he had to go to work.
>> It's clear that Elizabeth has reached her breaking point. Every accusation towards her family is pushing her closer
to the edge. Most investigators would pull back here, take a break, try to deescalate, but not Detective Bruceiaga.
Instead, she decides to take a bigger risk, one that's bold but calculated. Rather than fighting Elizabeth's
denials, she will lean into them, even agreeing that she's only trying to protect her family. In doing so,
Bruceiaga wants to make Elizabeth feel safe enough to talk and reveal what she's really hiding. It's a delicate
psychological play. one that could end the interview entirely or solve the case right here and now.
>> But I'm going to tell you right now that your mom said she drove Angelo to his
interview. Guess [music] what? Angelo said he borrowed the car from your mom and he drove himself to the interview.
So obviously somebody's lying. And [music] I kind of understand that you don't want to see.
>> No, you don't. They don't. They did not do it. >> You are literally acting in the wrong
place. You're just trying to blame somebody just so that you can get someone for the crime. I know they
didn't do it because well, I don't know for sure, BUT I KNOW THEY WOULDN'T HAVE DONE something like
that. They know how much that would crush me. And literally, they have seen how much I have died these past 2 weeks.
Okay? And I'm telling you, I'm not telling you if I find out your brother. I'm telling you when I gather up all my
evidence and I arrest your brother. I hope that you didn't know more. >> You guys can think however you'd like.
My family did not do it. Elizabeth, you can't get out without us letting you out, babe.
>> Elizabeth, I think you're ready to tell me more than you're telling me. Okay.
know anything at all. So, I really >> You have to realize, Elizabeth, that somebody took your baby's dad's life and
now that baby is not going to have a father. And as much as you love your family, they still took your baby's dad
away. Now, that baby's not going to have a dad. I don't think I know that. literally all I think I'm on camera for
a second. >> Can we finish talking in the conference room? >> Just cuz I can't [music] hear actually
and we can't we can't be sitting in the hallway. Elizabeth, I'm sorry. This is our victim site. So
>> Elizabeth's finally had enough. The weight of the questioning breaks her down and she's emotionally exhausted.
Detectives [music] try to take advantage of the moment, hoping her vulnerability
will make her open up, but Elizabeth doesn't budge. Through tears, she keeps insisting her family is innocent.
[music] With nothing useful coming from Elizabeth, the interview ends. She's escorted out of the building and
investigators are back to square one. Still, Detective Bruciaga can't shake her suspicions. She knows this family is
hiding something. What she hasn't figured out yet is that she's been focusing on the wrong suspects all
along. Over the next couple of months, the case remains wide open. Investigators keep
digging, and what they find is even more alarming. First, they learn that Chavez
never followed through with her stolen vehicle report from the day of the murder. Then, while combing through
phone data, detectives uncover explicit threats from Elizabeth's older brother, Gilbert, directed at Jay. In one
message, Gilbert writes, "He's going to catch one." Clearly hinting at plans for
violence. In another text, he says, "Delete our messages and don't say anything about me, saying I was going to
shoot him. It wasn't me for real. I ain't trying to deal with cops." Based on these details, investigators start to
speculate that Gilbert may have taken things further, possibly supplying a gun or even using it himself to shoot Jay.
Chavez, realizing what her sons had done, may have then disposed of the car to cover their tracks and build an alibi
for the family. The new findings pushed Gilbert to the top of the suspect list right beside his brother Angelo. But as
compelling as the theory sounds, [music] it's still just that, a theory. The case
remains strong on suspicion, but weak on proof, and Detective Bruceiaga desperately [music] needs anything
concrete from the Baldonado family. So on May 19th, 76 days after Jay's murder, Bruce Yaga and a team of
officers head to the family's house, determined to confront them face to face and see if she can pressure someone into
cracking. When the investigators arrive at the door, no one expects how quickly things will get heated.
>> Oh, hi Gilbert. How are you? >> Hi. >> Can I actually talk to you, Gilbert? >> Um, you know what it's about because you
know, I've already um done some research. I'm not gonna talk to you right here in the door. Do you want to
come talk to me over here? Hi, Elizabeth. How are you? >> Good. >> Good. Okay. Is your mom here?
>> She's showering. >> You might want to go tell your mom that I would like to talk to her again. I'm
going to talk to Gilbert if he's willing to speak with me. And Gilbert again. I don't want to talk to you right here in
front of the door. Do you mind coming even over here? >> Yes. >> So, tell me what you know.
>> Like I said, I just moved in here. I like >> Okay. So, I'm I'm I'm not going to play
games with you. Okay. I know you threatened to take care of Jose. >> Yeah. But I didn't do anything to me.
>> Okay. Well, >> I was kning up here. I couldn't even do that. >> Okay. So, obviously you do know why I'm
here and why I'm talking to you now. You want to discuss or do you want me to just take it for at face value? I
already saw the Facebook. >> So, do whatever. >> Huh? >> Yeah, I know. So you can do whatever. I
didn't do [ __ ] So >> Okay. So >> I mean >> again in your Facebook you do disclose
and say you're going to send somebody to take care of him. >> Yeah. But they did send
>> Okay. So well who' you send cuz he died. >> I didn't send nobody. >> Do I need to be any clearer? He died.
>> Yeah. But I didn't send nobody. Come on. Ain't nobody want to do it. They're all
scared. >> Can I see your phone? Can I see your phone? Thank you. It's a T-Mobile. Okay.
I'm going to take it. I'm going to do a warrant on it. Okay. >> Take my help. >> Yes.
Again, you have to realize that I'm investigating a homicide. Okay. A homicide in which you threatened to kill
my victim. >> So, you're going to take my phone? >> Yes. I'm going to take your phone. I'm
going to do a warrant on it if for any reason. >> Just don't look at pictures. You know
what I'm saying? Unless you want to see something something. But it's a whole lot something.
>> Okay. Well, I won't look at pictures, but I am interested in who you've been talking to, text messages, and so on.
So, I am going to do a warrant on it. Okay. >> With no luck getting anything useful
from Gilbert, Detective Bruce Yaga cleverly confiscates his phone, hoping it might hold the evidence she needs,
but still can't prove. As this is happening, Chavez is seen stepping outside and speaking briefly with
officers. She looks like she's in a hurry to leave. Not willing to let the moment slip away, Detective Bruciaga
plans to intercept and confront her about the boxing match she helped organize to see how she reacts when
cornered. This time, however, Chavez isn't the same calm, collected woman from before. What Bruciaga gets instead
is a very different side of her. >> Hello. >> Can I talk to you really fast? >> I have to catch the bus. So, I mean, it
got you got five minutes of my time. Okay. >> And that's it. >> Thank you, Gilbert. Thank you for
speaking with me. Have a good day. >> Be safe. >> We'll check in with you before you talk
to us again. >> Uh, hi, Elizabeth. I know you're going to be quick and all, but so you know why
I'm here. Okay. I I don't I don't got to repeat myself. >> I don't I don't want to repeat myself. I
don't want to play games. >> Confirmation number from when I called cuz I called that same evening. And we
have you didn't report your card. >> I did. This is it. Yes, it is. >> I already know.
>> Okay. You know what? I'm not trying to be mean with you, but this is the confirmation number that I
>> So, why did why did you set up a fight between Angelo and Jose? >> No, no, no, no.
>> Yes, you did. >> No, no, no. I called over. He called to the house. He was asking for a fight. I
was like, "Wait a minute. You want to do what?" I was like, "Are you serious?" >> Was either that sit there and do some
stupid things. I'm not trying to have stupid things going on between those boys. Those boys need to learn how to
get along. >> Like I said, I have I have phones. I already know which when you called it
in. You never fully followed through. >> I did. I waited for them to get here. >> Okay. Do you have the title to the
vehicle? >> It's in the vehicle. That's what I was trying to tell y'all. Like I cannot give
you any more information because it was in the vehicle. I didn't get to register
the car or anything. You've had the car since before January. >> Yeah. And I also had to get an
alternator for it. You know how much money it takes to just for me to save for just a little bit few things? But
the little boy, he called. He wanted to make the fight. >> Right. I'm not saying that. I'm not
saying Jose didn't set the fight, but you let them know and you set up the fight cuz they were going to fight that
morning. >> Let them know because they had to know. I like this is what's going on when your
sisters left. What do you guys think about this? Yeah. I let them know because [clears throat] they needed to
know because that's all right. >> So, I'm going to tell you something. Okay. >> Yeah. My 5 minutes. I'm done.
>> Can Well, I'm going to tell you something. Okay. When I charge someone, you're going to be charged along because
I know you're hiding the truth and I know you're listening to me and it would suck for Aurora and Elizabeth's baby to
not be present for you not to be present because I will charge you because I do know you were going to set up that fight
that day. The end. >> Young lady and I >> I got it off your daughter's phone. Goodbye.
Clearly, Chavez is done talking as she storms off the scene, angry and defensive. But in her frustration, she
lets something slip, admitting that she knew about the fight between Jay and her
sons. Though she insists it was all Jay's idea. Before leaving the house, Bruceiaga tries once more to speak with
Elizabeth to see if she's finally ready to tell the truth. >> How you been, Elizabeth?
>> Fine. Are you still pregnant? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. How far along are you? >> Well, from my menstrual cycle, she said
14 weeks and >> seven days. >> So, Elizabeth, you know, we talked last time and I know you were very upset and
I can't imagine what you're going through cuz you're kind of put in between, but I already know you know
what happened. >> I mean, I don't I I don't know what happened at all. All I know is that when his grandpa got back,
he told me that Jay was dead. >> I would just hate and I truly from the bottom of my heart still believe that
you weren't involved, but I would just hate to find out that you were involved. And then where does that baby go?
Because he no longer has a dad. That day there is a witness that describes a female matching your exact description
talking to right before he gets shot. >> I was at the house. >> Okay. >> Do you realize how close you live?
I was literally >> again. Elizabeth, listen to me. >> And then when his grandpa came home, he
walked in on me washing the dishes. >> You're not going to change my mind because I mean, is it weird that she
lives here and she knows nothing? >> Elizabeth, you have to think about Can I talk to you for a sec, Elizabeth?
>> What? >> Say something else. >> I We're not we're not trying to to, you know, upset you any more than you
already are or anything like that, but you have to think about how when this case goes to court, one, when people get
arrested for things like this, they don't care whose family, friends, or whoever else they can or will throw
under the bus to try to get themselves a better deal. When this goes to court and
a jury of six or I'm sorry, 12 random people, don't don't worry about what I think about it. Don't worry about what
Anna thinks about it. Think about what those 12 people are think about it. You've got to think about what's best
for for him or her. I don't know. >> Okay, I wouldn't mind you guys about that. >> If you hear something or something comes
up, I >> recess the day I met her. >> With Elizabeth repeating the same story as before and no progress made, the
officers decide to leave. But Bruceiaga gives the family a promise. The next time she comes back, it won't be for
questions. It'll be with a warrant. A month later, on June 15th, investigators finally get the break
they've been waiting for. [music] Cell Tower data definitively places Angelo's phone at the scene of the murder at
11:20 a.m. the same time Jay was killed, directly contradicting his earlier alibi
that he was home with his mother. With this new evidence, a warrant is secured for Angelo's arrest, and Bruceiaga
returns to the Baldonado residence just as she promised. That afternoon, 16-year-old Angelo
Baldonado is arrested and charged with murder. [music] Now, with the prime suspect finally in custody, police have
the chance to interview him without his mother intervening. Bruceiaga hopes this
will be the moment they get to close the [music] case for good. But to her surprise, Angelo isn't about to make
that easy because this time he has an escape plan of his own. >> Hey, Angelo. I'mma steal that chair. Sorry.
>> Is my mom going to be here someday? >> Is your mom going to be here? Was she driving at
>> Was she driving down here? >> No, she was [ __ ] warning people that was there at the house.
>> Oh, at the house. >> I was at the office. Sorry, I was no longer at the house. Okay.
>> She should be coming. >> So, she should be coming. Okay. >> And if not, like she should come.
>> She should Okay. Um, so you do remember me and I actually do know you remember
me cuz you're like, "Can I talk to Anna?" So, um, but again, I am Anna Bruciaga DPD. This is my partner. So,
Angelo, because you are a minor, I am going to read you your rights. And we're >> That's why I want my mom here. That's my
questions or something. I wasn't like talking to my mom without >> So, you want your mom here while I read
you your rights as well? >> Yeah. I want for the whole thing. >> For the whole thing.
>> Okay, sir. >> Asking so much. >> At this time, you are going to get booked for your warrant. Okay.
>> What exactly is a warrant? >> It's a homicide warrant. >> But why are you doing this?
>> Okay. Um, again, you know, because you said that you wanted to speak to me with
your mom. I can't ask you questions. Um, at this point, I am booking you for the
homicide warrant. Um, and that's all you can do. >> It's certainly not the response
Detective Bruceiaga was hoping for, but it's hardly surprising. After months of his mother keeping him away from
investigators, Angelo refuses to speak without his mother or a lawyer present. [music] With no cooperation and no
confession, there is nothing more detectives can do. Angelo is booked into the county's juvenile detention center,
held without bond while prosecutors prepare to take the case to trial. For now, he's the only family member
officially tied to the crime. And investigators believe they've finally got Jay's killer behind bars. But what
no one has caught on to yet is that Angelo isn't the one who pulled the trigger. He's just a scapegoat taking
the fall for a killer who's still free and quietly getting away with murder. A full year passes since Jay was
tragically killed. His pregnant girlfriend, Elizabeth Baldonado, gives birth to his son in November 2022. Her
social media posts show a young woman trying to rebuild her life, sharing photos of her baby, spending time with
friends and appearing to move on in a new relationship. On the surface, it seems like life is slowly returning to
normal. Meanwhile, her brother Angelo remains in juvenile detention, awaiting trial. The case seems closed and Jay's
family begins to find closure, believing justice has finally been served. That is
until out of nowhere, police receive a phone call that changes everything. In March of 2023, a woman contacts
detectives claiming she's been talking to Elizabeth's older brother, Gilbert, on Facebook. And according to her, he's
just confessed to knowing exactly who killed Jay that day. I've been kind of watching [music] everything that goes on
on Facebook and I was able to see that Gibby was pretty hateful towards his mom. And so I figured maybe I could get
him to say something about it. So I messaged him. Why is your brother locked [music] up? Cuz my mom and him went to
go fight my sister's baby daddy cuz he beat her. And when they got there, my sister's baby daddy tried to pull out a
gun, but he got hit before he could even get his gun. But they put the murder on
my brother. I said, "That's real [ __ ] up. Why they put it on your brother?" He
said, "Supposedly witnesses were there and said it was him and they say they also got video and that it looks like
him in [music] the video, but you can't see. All you see is a big ass group and then everybody scatters." I said, "What
the? Your mom didn't [music] tell nobody. It wasn't him." He said, "Nope." He said, "The crazy part is my little
brother ain't telling on my mom." Said, "So your mom did it and let your brother
go down?" [music] And he said, "Yep." I said, "Have you tried to tell your brother to tell?" Okay said, "Yeah, but
he tells me no, but that's how we was raised. No matter what the situation is, don't tell. And if we do, we got to face
consequences." >> Needless [music] to say, Gilbert's confession changes everything.
Detectives already suspected Chavez's involvement in arranging the boxing fight, but no one imagined she was the
one who pulled the trigger. Investigators begin to theorize that Chavez may have orchestrated the entire
thing, luring Jay to the alley under the guise of a fight with her son, only to end it herself with a single shot to the
head. But despite what sounds like a breakthrough, Detective Bruceiaga knows she can't move too fast. Arresting
Chavez now, based only on Gilbert's secondhand confession, could jeopardize the entire case. Without solid evidence,
Chavez will be innocent in the eyes of the law. Over the next few months, investigators work quietly monitoring
jail calls between Chavez and her son Angelo. Most of the conversations are vague, small talk, cautious wording. But
in one of the calls, Chavez makes an interesting [music] statement. When Angelo asks why his brother Gilbert
looks sad, Chavez replies he's heartbroken you're in there. I told him it's because I [music] [ __ ] up.
Because I'm stupid. Period. Hearing what sounds like an admission of guilt, Detective Bruceiaga seizes the
opportunity and visits Angelo at the detention center, hoping this time she can finally get the truth. When she
meets with him, she doesn't have to do much convincing [music] because Angelo is already prepared to
make a deal and save himself. >> If everything would be happening, which I'm going now, would I get at least the
first degree dropped down? So, we know a way to work around it. >> So, so if you're wanting to now give a
statement, we can definitely schedule an appointment where it's me, you, and the
attorney, and then I'm more than welcome to talk to you. Then, >> after Angelo agrees to cooperate,
detectives quickly arrange a formal interview with him and his attorney present. Angelo ends up corroborating
his brother Gilbert's confession, confirming that it was his mother who pulled the trigger and drove away from
the scene with both sons telling the same story. There's only one crucial piece missing
to solve the case. A confession from Chavez herself. Without her own words, the defense could argue that the boys
are lying or that their statements were coerced. A few days later, an arrest warrant is
issued and Chavez [music] is taken into custody. Detective Bruciaga brings her into an interrogation room, determined
to secure an admission. Not through confrontation this time, but through empathy. If the plan works, they'll
finally close the case for good. But if Chavez sees through it, the interview will be over before it even begins.
I know I know that you obviously recognize me cuz we've met in the past more than once. Okay. Um
and regardless of what happened then I'm not going to be rude to you. I'm not going to be disrespectful to you even
though in the past you weren't the nicest, right? Um, but you're here and I'm not going to be rude
and I expect the same kid there. >> Okay. Um, obviously I know you were visiting Angelo.
>> I I know you were visiting Angelo. How is he doing? >> He's okay. >> He's okay.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. How are you doing? [music] Cuz he's there for nothing. He didn't do
anything wrong. And I mean just in general, not just because you already know why you're
here. You've been in handcuffs. You've been in the back of the cop car >> just now.
>> Yeah. So, I'm going to read you your rights. Okay. [music] >> Lawyer now. >> Okay. Fair enough. Um, with that being
said, what's going to happen now is I'm going to stop this interview. You're going to jail on two warrants. Okay. You
do have an open count murder warrant and you do have and I have to look at that one the to
read you the exact but it's a warrant. Okay. >> And that's not mine. It's not for me to
discuss but that's what one of the warrant is for. Okay. >> Unfortunately things don't go according
to plan. The moment Chavez realizes where the conversation is heading, she immediately shuts down the interview and
asks for a lawyer. They argue that Chavez disapproved of the relationship between her daughter and Jay and was
motivated by anger over how he treated her. They also believe she calculated that her teenage son would face lighter
consequences if he took the blame. As for her other children, Elizabeth and Gilbert, investigators determined that
neither had any direct role in the shooting. Elizabeth, in particular, is found to have had no knowledge of her
mother's deadly intentions. She withheld some information to protect her family,
but was ultimately determined to be a victim caught in the [music] middle. Eventually, Angelo Baldonado pleads
guilty to conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and assaults with intent to commit a felony and is
sentenced to remain in juvenile detention until age 21.

Go to http://hellofresh.com/DRINSANITY10FM now to Get 10 Free Meals + a Free breakfast for Life!

This is 17 years old Elizabeth Baldonado. A few hours ago, her boyfriend was found mysteriously shot dead in a back alley. Tragically, Elizabeth is also pregnant with their child… Her mother, Ortiz-Chavez, is trying to comfort her daughter.

What Elizabeth doesn't know yet, is that her mother is hiding a dark secret that will ruin the family's life…..

As detectives work the case, more and more clues start pointing toward Elizabeth's family. And as she learns that her own family are now suspected killers, all she can do is deny the accusations… while her mother sacrifices her own children to hide what she's done….

This video was made for educational purposes only. The video is presented to provide genuine footage of police incidents to promote transparency in government while providing educational, informative and newsworthy content allowing viewers to examine and assess public safety material. This is a fact-checked documentary using authoritative sources. The individuals shown in this video have not been convicted of any crime and are legally presumed innocent unless proven otherwise in a court of law. This material is intended solely for educational and informational purposes and represents personal analysis and commentary. Nothing presented should be interpreted as legal counsel, and the observations provided may not include all circumstances or reflect the final charges in each case. This video features real police-related footage shared to support public awareness and government transparency. The content is designed to inform and educate viewers on public safety matters and is presented as a documentary relying on verified and credible sources. All materials used were lawfully obtained through public records requests and are available to the public. The footage is utilized strictly for journalistic, documentary, and educational purposes under the Fair Use doctrine outlined in Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act.**

Brief Summary

The episode details the murder of Jose Ruiz and the investigation implicating his girlfriend's family, leading to shocking revelations and arrests.

Key points

A Dark Family Secret. Elizabeth's mother hides a secret that could ruin their lives.
Surveillance Footage Revealed. Detectives find crucial video evidence of the shooting.
Confronting the Family. Detective Bruciaga interviews Elizabeth's family, uncovering potential involvement.
A Mother's Denial. Elizabeth's mother denies involvement despite mounting evidence against her.
The Turning Point. Elizabeth turns 18, allowing police to question her directly about Jay's murder.
Emotional Breakdown. Under intense questioning, Elizabeth breaks down but maintains her family's innocence.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

He was involved with something, but I could never get the truth from him.

Jay's grandfather hints at his grandson's secrets.

4:46WatchNov 9, 2025

Tension

85/ 100High tension

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