Teen Cheerleader Allegedly Murdered by Ex-Boyfriend Days Before Christmas After Family Tracks Bloodied Body Using Phone Tracker
(Image: Family Photos /KABC-TV)
The tragic death of 17-year-old Angelina Camillia Gonzales, a California cheerleader just weeks shy of her 18th birthday, has left her family and community devastated. Gonzales was found stabbed at her ex-boyfriend’s home after her family tracked her phone when she failed to return from a cheerleading banquet.
Police were called to the 300 block of North Soldano Avenue around 10 p.m. on Friday. Officers discovered Gonzales suffering from stab wounds and rushed her to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead, according to KABC-TV.
Her stepfather, Robert Caraballo, tracked her phone to the scene and arrived to find it cordoned off. “When I got there, there was already crime scene tape up and forensics and all kinds of stuff,” Caraballo told NYPost. “You know, my daughter is in there. I’m trying to find her. She’s not home. And that’s when they told me, sit aside for a minute.”
Caraballo revealed he had repeatedly warned his stepdaughter to stay away from her ex-boyfriend, but Gonzales had a kind heart and often saw the best in people. Her brother, Ruben Torres, described her as “always bubbly, happy, [with a] funny personality. Always cracking jokes.”
Gonzales was passionate about cheerleading and was also a member of her school’s wrestling team, winning her first match. Her stepfather shared that she had been practicing hard to join the stunt team. “She was looking forward to celebrating her milestone birthday,” Caraballo said. “She’s amazing. I’m broken right now… the little bit of time that I had with her, I can’t even.”
In the wake of this unimaginable tragedy, Gonzales’ family has created a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses. The fundraiser description reads, “On Friday, December 20, 2024, my baby was taken from us. She was only 17, about to have her 18th birthday on January 7th.
She had such a great future ahead of her. She had a heart of gold. She was my perfect gorgeous angel baby. I don’t even have the words to say.” As of Monday, the GoFundMe had raised $15,277, surpassing its $10,000 goal.
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department stated that the case would be presented to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office. A suspect has not yet been publicly identified, leaving many unanswered questions as the investigation continues.
