A STAR cheerleader was brutally murdered just weeks before her 18th birthday, leaving her family devastated after they traced her phone to the scene of her horrific murder.
The suspect accused of killing Angelina Camelia Gonzalez is now behind bars after the teen was found fatally stabbed at her ex-boyfriend's home on Friday, according to her family.
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Gonzalez, a high school athlete, attended a cheerleading banquet on Friday before the suspect, 18, picked her up from the event and took her to his home in Azusa, California, about 25 miles northeast of Los Angeles.
Her family said they tracked her phone to find her at her ex-husband's home, according to ABC affiliate KABC-TV in Los Angeles.
“When I got there, there was already crime scene tape and forensics and all kinds of stuff,” Gonzalez’s stepfather, Robert Caraballo, told the outlet.
“And I ran up to the officers and said, 'Hey, my daughter's over there.'
“My daughter is there and I'm trying to find her. She's not home.”
“Then they said to me: ‘Sit down for a minute,’” he recalls the heartbreaking scene.
Cops responded to the bloodied scene at Azusa's home around 10pm on Friday, where they found Gonzalez suffering from multiple stab wounds.
The Azusa Police Department said they transported the teen to a nearby hospital, where she died from her injuries.
Her ex-boyfriend was arrested less than a day after the fatal stabbing, officials said.
Police have not identified the suspect in custody as they prepare to present the case to the Los Angeles District Attorney, the Los Angeles Police Department told The US Sun.
The Gonzalez family warned the high school student to stay away from her ex-husband several times, Caraballo said.
However, her family said she had a good heart and saw the good in her ex-husband.
“It's unreal, like the fact that anyone could hurt themselves with such a sweet, loving, funny person,” Ruben Torres, the teen's brother, told KABC.
Charges have not yet been brought against the suspect.
Family statement on GoFundMe
The family of teenage cheerleader Angelina Camelia Gonzalez shared a heartbreaking statement about the 17-year-old's death.
Gonzalez was stabbed to death at her ex-boyfriend's home on December 20.
Her family is raising money for the teen's funeral on GoFundMe.
Gonzalez's mother, Letitica Caraballo, shared the following message in describing the fundraiser:
“On Friday, December 20, 2024, my child was taken from us,” Caraballo wrote.
“She was only 17 years old and was about to celebrate her 18th birthday on January 7th.
“She had a great future ahead of her. She had a heart of gold.
“She was my amazing, perfect angel baby. I don't even have the words to say. I can't even cope. I need her.”
“Our family has been devastated. We appreciate all the support and love. Thank you all.”
Source: GoFundMe
The Gonzalez family was left devastated without her before the holidays and before her 18th birthday on January 7.
“She was looking forward to it,” Caraballo said.
“She's amazing,” he said before bursting into tears. “I'm devastated right now, I'm not going to lie to you, because the little time I had with her…”
The family was left devastated
Gonzalez's family has started a GoFundMe page to raise money for her funeral.
“She had a great future ahead of her,” Gonzalez’s mother, Leticia Pimentel Carabello, wrote in describing the fundraiser.
“She had a heart of gold. She was my perfect, wonderful angel baby. I don't even have the words to say.”
As of Monday afternoon, the fundraiser had raised more than $12,000, well over its goal of $10,000.
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