Castroville: 29-year-old pleads guilty to 2nd degree murder
UPDATE: 3/29/2018 4:10 p.m.: A Castroville woman has pled guilty to second degree murder.
On July 20, 2017, 29-year-old Melissa Lillian Paniagua’s sister had an argument with the victim, Cynthia Medina, at Medina’s house. Paniagua went to the house to get a tablet her sister left behind when she left.
The victim’s daughter could not find it, so Paniagua went into the house and refused to leave.
While the victim’s daughter was in another room calling 911, Paniagua allegedly shot the victim.
She will be sentenced on May 3, 2018 and could face 25 years to life in prison.
PREVIOUS STORY: 7/23/17 11:50 p.m.: Melissa Lillian Paniagua, 28, has been arrested for the shooting death of Cynthia Medina.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said Paniagua was located on the 3000 block of Owen Avenue in Marina around 8 p.m. Sunday night.
Deputies found her standing outside of a home and arrested her without incident.
Paniagua faces one count of murder.
The Sheriff’s Office is still looking for Sylvia Navarro who they say, has information related to the homicide.
PREVIOUS STORY:
A woman was shot and killed in Castroville Thursday night.
Deputies with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office responded to a homicide in the 10300 block of Merritt Street around 7:09 p.m. and found 37-year-old Cynthia Medina of Castroville unconscious without a pulse. Deputies attempted to revive Medina however she was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, a fight between acquaintances escalated and it ended up with the victim being shot.
During the investigation it was learned that 28-year-old Melissa Lillian Paniagua was the suspect in this case. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is currently looking for Paniagua.
Investigators also want to speak with Paniagua’s sister, Sylvia Navarro, age 35. The Sheriff’s Office said Navarro is not a suspect in the case but they believe she has information relating to the homicide. Paniagua is considered armed as investigators haven’t located the weapon.
Investigators said the shooting was not a random act as the suspect and victim knew each other.
Anyone with information about Paniagua or Navarro’s whereabouts should call 911. If anyone has information about the case, call Detective Rick Jorgensen or Detective Sergeant Bryan Hoskins at 831-755-3722.
