17-year-old Amanda Zubia went missing in July 2004.
Her family would never see her alive again. She was held in an East Bakerfield home where she was beaten, burned, spit on, and tortured for hours.
She was eventually bound, gagged, and put into a suitcase, where she suffocated. She was placed in a barrel full of cement.
Her attacker didn’t get away with it, and five people ended up with prison time for their involvement.
Two died, one was sentenced for seven years, and another was 25 years old because he was a juvenile when the crime occurred.
On December 29th, 2004 Maricruz Galaviz was sentenced to 25 to life for her role in the crime.
She was granted parole in April 2025.
Governor Gavin Newsom recently reversed the decision, saying, “I find the evidence shows that she currently poses an unreasonable danger to society if released from prison.”
She will be eligible for parole again in October 2026.
DOB:
1977Conviction(s):
- First-degree murder
Accomplice(s):
Date of crime:
July 19th, 2004Location(s):
CaliforniaDate of arrest:
UnknownDetails:
Tortured and killed 17-year-old Amanda Zubia.Confirmed Victim(s):
- Amanda Zubia (17)
Method:
N/AMotive(s):
UnknownSentence:
25 to lifeCurrent whereabouts:
Central California Women’s Facility in ChowchillaSources:
- https://www.kget.com/news/local-news/the-longer-she-stays-the-better-for-us-family-of-murdered-teen-reacts-to-parole-reversal-of-her-killer/
- https://www.turnto23.com/news/in-your-neighborhood/bakersfield/teens-killer-granted-parole-family-seeks-community-support-to-reverse-decision
- https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/115653723/amanda_lee-zubia
Last Updated on 08/21/2026
