On December 21, 2023, Savanah Soto and Matthew Guerra were last seen after arranging to meet for what was believed to be a marijuana transaction. Authorities later said the meeting had been part of a planned robbery.
The victims were identified as 18-year-old Savanah Soto, 22-year-old Matthew Guerra, and their unborn son, Fabian.
On December 25, 2023, a CLEAR Alert was issued after Soto failed to appear for her scheduled induction.
On December 26, 2023, the bodies of Soto and Guerra were discovered inside a vehicle at an apartment complex in San Antonio, Texas. Both victims had been shot to death.
Investigators said Christopher Preciado shot both victims while they were seated inside the vehicle, then drove the car to another location in an attempt to conceal the crime. Evidence later showed that he had been seeking money prior to the meeting, supporting prosecutors’ claim that the encounter had been planned as a robbery.
On December 30, 2023, a neighbor reported finding blood-covered cash near the suspect’s home. DNA testing later confirmed the blood belonged to Guerra.
On January 4, 2024, Christopher Preciado and his father, Ramon Preciado, were taken into custody in connection with the killings. Authorities said surveillance footage showed the father assisting in following the victims’ vehicle and later attempting to wipe it down. The firearm used in the killings was also linked back to the father.
During a 2024 interview with investigators, the suspect claimed the shooting occurred during a struggle and was an act of self-defense. However, detectives testified that the physical evidence did not support that claim. A medical examiner determined the victims’ injuries were consistent with intentional gunfire.
During the trial, prosecutors presented additional evidence, including surveillance footage, digital messages, and testimony showing the suspect intended to obtain money the night of the killings. Items belonging to Guerra were later sold, further contradicting the self-defense claim.
On March 26, 2026, following more than a week of testimony, a jury found Christopher Preciado guilty of capital murder after deliberating for just over two hours. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Authorities said Ramon Preciado remains charged in connection with assisting after the crime and is scheduled to stand trial. Charges against the suspect’s mother were previously dismissed pending further investigation. A civil lawsuit has also been filed in connection with the case.
— Illicit Deeds | Criminal Case Coverage