The tragic death of 17-year-old Angelina Camillia Gonzales, a California cheerleader just weeks shy of her 18th birthday, has left her family and community devastated. Gonzales was found stabbed at her ex-boyfriend’s house after her family tracked her phone when she didn’t return from a cheerleading banquet.
Police were called to the 300 block of North Soldano Avenue around 10 p.m. Friday. Officers discovered Gonzales suffering from stab wounds and rushed her to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead, according to KABC-TV.
His stepfather, Robert Caraballo, tracked his phone to the location and upon arriving found it cordoned off. “When I got there, there was already crime scene tape, forensics and all kinds of stuff,” Caraballo said. New York Post. “You know, my daughter is there. I’m trying to find her. She’s not at home. And that’s when they told me, sit down for a moment.”
Caraballo revealed that she had repeatedly warned her stepdaughter to stay away from her ex-boyfriend, but Gonzales had a kind heart and often saw the best in people. Her brother, Rubén Torres, described her as “always cheerful, happy, (with a) fun personality. “Always making jokes.”
Gonzales was passionate about cheerleading and was also a member of her school’s wrestling team, winning her first match. Her stepfather shared that she had been practicing hard to join the stunt team. “She was looking forward to celebrating her milestone birthday,” Caraballo said. “She is incredible. “I’m devastated right now… the little time I had with her, I can’t even.”
In the wake of this unimaginable tragedy, the Gonzales family has created a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses. The fundraiser description reads: “On Friday, December 20, 2024, my baby was taken from us. He was only 17 years old and was about to turn 18 on January 7th.
He had a great future ahead of him. He had a heart of gold. She was my perfect, beautiful angel baby. “I don’t even have words to say.” As of Monday, GoFundMe had raised $15,277, surpassing its goal of $10,000.
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department stated that the case would be presented to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office. No suspect has yet been publicly identified, leaving many questions unanswered as the investigation continues.