A young mother of three, Sheylla Gutierrez, was found dead in California’s Angeles National Forest this month. Her husband, Jossimar Cabrera, is now the prime suspect – but instead of facing justice, he fled to Peru with their children.
NEW: Mother of three found deceased after going missing in Los Angeles, husband, who initially said ICE took her, was seen on a security camera dragging something large before fleeing to Peru.
33-year-old Sheylla Gutierrez has been found in the Angeles National Forest.
The… pic.twitter.com/iUFMzamaWG
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 20, 2025
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Cabrera first told friends and neighbors that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had taken his wife away.
But surveillance footage from their apartment complex in Lancaster tells a very different story.
In the video, Cabrera can be seen dragging a large, wrapped object out of the building.
Days later, investigators discovered Sheylla’s body in the Angeles National Forest, wrapped in material matching what was seen in the footage.
Children Found Safe in Peru
Cabrera took the couple’s three young boys and boarded a flight to Peru before any warrant was issued.
Thankfully, Peruvian authorities found the children on August 16 and placed them in protective custody.
The Peruvian Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations is now caring for them while international agencies work on next steps.
Cabrera himself has not been arrested yet, but Los Angeles prosecutors are preparing murder charges and working with federal officials to bring him back to the United States.
The Community Remembers Sheylla
Back in Lancaster, neighbors and friends of Sheylla gathered for a vigil.
They lit candles, held signs calling for justice, and remembered her as a loving mother and a hardworking woman who wanted a better life for her family.
The case has sparked debate online, too. Women face impossible challenges in abusive relationships, and many have highlighted the importance of checking in on your friends and neighbors.
Others have pointed out how quickly law enforcement acts when children are involved.
Nevada Families See the Warning Signs
For folks here in Nevada, this tragedy hits close to home in a few ways. First, it shows the limits of our justice system when criminals slip across borders.
Nevada has long been a state where law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities is debated.
Cities like Las Vegas and Reno have been pressured by activists to restrict cooperation with ICE, but cases like this raise the question: if Cabrera had been in custody sooner, could Sheylla still be alive?
When criminals can use immigration loopholes or international travel to dodge justice, it undermines public safety for everyone.
Lies, Loopholes, and Lost Lives
Critics of ICE and stricter immigration enforcement often argue that federal action creates fear in immigrant communities. But supporters say the opposite is true; strong enforcement protects the very families who are most vulnerable.
In this case, Cabrera reportedly used ICE as a cover story to explain away his wife’s disappearance.
That lie highlights why Americans – especially in border states and immigrant-heavy communities like Nevada – need law enforcement agencies working together, not at odds.
Murder Charges Pending, Extradition in Motion
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner is still determining Sheylla’s official cause of death. Prosecutors are preparing charges, and law enforcement agencies are coordinating with Peru to have Cabrera extradited.
Meanwhile, three children are without their mother and cut off from the home they knew. Their future, like the case itself, remains uncertain.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
