Murder of Diego Armando Gonzales
17-year-old Diego Armando Gonzales was a star on his wrestling team at El Modena High School in Orange, California, but he would never see 18.
On November 10th, 2003, his former girlfriend, 21-year-old Veronica Paz, lured him to a construction site. Once they were distracted, Paz other man, Brandan Dante Perry, ran up with a gun, pulled Gonzalez out of the car, and shot him twice in the face.
Paz and Perry had friends give them aliases and help them burn the body. Their efforts to cover up the crime failed, and they were arrested three days later.
Legal Proceedings
Perry agreed to a 25-year-to-life sentence and testified against Paz at her 2006 trial. Paz was convicted of first-degree murder and was also sentenced to 25 years to life on December 14th, 2006.
Overturned Conviction and Lesser Sentence
Her conviction was later overturned in 2008. In 2011, she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 15 to life. She is now free.
DOB:
1982Conviction(s):
- Second-degree murder
Accomplice(s):
- Brandan Dante Perry
Date of crime:
November 10th, 2003Location(s):
Orange County, CADate of arrest:
November 13th, 2003Details:
She and her new guy killed her underage ex-boyfriend.Confirmed Victim(s):
- Diego Armando Gonzales (17)
Method:
ShootingSentence:
15 to lifeCurrent whereabouts:
She is no longer in custody, though it is unclear when exactly she was released.Last Updated on 09/11/2026
