Cynthia Cdebaca: Killer Grandma Murders Geoward Eustaquio
Cynthia Cdebaca being led into court for the murder of Geoward Eustaquio. Image: Baltimore Sun
Cynthia Cdebaca is a grandmother from Fallbrook, California who killed her son-in-law, Geoward Eustaquio. She showed no remorse, stating she would do it again if she had the chance.
Who is Cynthia Cdebaca?
Cynthia Cdebaca before murdering her son in law Geoward Eustaquio. Photo: The Cinemaholic.
At the time of the murder, Cynthia Cdebaca was a 64 year old woman living in Fallbrook, California. She was living with her daughter Laura Salinas, and son-in-law, Geoward Eustaquio, along with their children. They all lived together in a house owned by Geoward Eustaquio.
Who was Geoward Eustaquio?
Laura Salinas and Geoward Estaquio in happier times. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Geoward was known by his family as a clever and kind-hearted person. He had a job as a space orbital analyst with the California Air National Guard, which he joined in 2007. Throughout his time there, he held the position of technical sergeant.
Estaquio came from a close-knit family with eight children, and he was the third among them. Their family gatherings were filled with laughter and reunions, strengthening their bond.
According to Eustaquio's adult sons, Jordan and Keanu, their father was strict but fair.
"Our dad had high expectations for us because he wanted us to succeed," Keanu shared with NBC. "Whenever we were not giving our best, he would push us. It's what any father would do."
Ongoing Conflict between Geoward Eustaquio and Cynthia Cdebaca
Eustaquio was known to be very strict when it came to discipline, which frequently caused conflicts with Cdebaca. She strongly disagreed with his firm parenting approach and how he treated her daughter, Laura.
As time went on, these disagreements created a significant divide between Cdebaca and Eustaquio, and their relationship deteriorated over their years living together.
The tension between them reached its breaking point on the morning of February 11, 2014, when a seemingly insignificant argument escalated into a chaotic situation.
Cynthia Cdebaca murders Geoward Eustaquio
On February 11, 2014, an ordinary morning in Fallbrook, California took a dramatic turn for Cynthia Cdebaca and her family.
The day started with a heated argument between Cdebaca and her son-in-law, Geoward Eustaquio. The disagreement began when Eustaquio expressed disapproval of Cdebaca's choice of outfit for her birthday celebration.
What seemed like a trivial matter quickly escalated, leading to a series of events that would stun the local community.
In a fit of anger, Cdebaca retrieved a recently purchased .38-caliber revolver with five shots from her bedroom. She approached Eustaquio, who was outside in the yard, without saying a word. Without warning, she fired at him. Caught off guard, Eustaquio tried to flee, but Cdebaca continued shooting. She reloaded her gun twice, firing a total of ten rounds.
The aftermath of the shooting was equally shocking. Instead of showing remorse or panic, Cdebaca left the scene as if nothing had happened. She went to a local coffee shop, then had breakfast at a Denny's restaurant. Afterward, she visited a casino and later attended her granddaughter's spelling bee.
It was only when she returned home and was confronted by the police that she confessed to the shooting.
Cdebaca's actions following the incident were chilling. She displayed no remorse for her deeds and even stated that she would repeat them if given the chance.
Cynthia Cdebaca is Sentenced
The trial of Cynthia Cdebaca garnered significant attention from both local and national media. The evidence against her was compelling.
The prosecution presented the .38-caliber revolver that was used in the crime, along with testimonies from multiple witnesses, including family members who confirmed the strained relationship between Cdebaca and Eustaquio.
A particularly damning piece of evidence was a surveillance video obtained from a neighbor's house. The footage clearly showed Cdebaca firing at Eustaquio, reloading her gun, and continuing to shoot.
This video, combined with Cdebaca's own admission, left little doubt about her guilt. However, the defense argued that Cdebaca had been a victim of emotional and psychological abuse inflicted by Eustaquio.
They claimed that years of mistreatment had pushed her to a breaking point, resulting in the tragic incident. The defense also emphasized Cdebaca's lack of prior criminal history and her role as a caring grandmother.
Despite the defense's efforts, the prosecution's case proved too strong to overcome. They argued that no amount of family tension justified the brutal murder of Eustaquio.
The prosecution painted a picture of premeditation, highlighting the fact that Cdebaca had recently purchased the gun used in the crime. The jury reached a unanimous verdict. Cynthia Cdebaca was found guilty of first-degree murder.
The conviction was accompanied by the sentencing phase. Considering the premeditated nature of the crime and Cdebaca's lack of remorse, the judge delivered a harsh sentence.
Cynthia Cdebaca was sentenced to 50 years to life in prison, meaning she would not be eligible for parole until she had served at least 50 years of her sentence.
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