How a fugitive killer named 'Smiley' vanished from L.A. — only to return and strike again

  • 📰 latimes
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 25 sec. here
  • 2 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 13%
  • Publisher: 82%

United States Headlines News

United States Latest News,United States Headlines

Jose Luis Saenz spent 14 years on the run after he was linked to a string of brazen murders. Authorities eventually tracked him down in Mexico — but not before he popped back up on the doorstep of a man who'd lost half a million in drug money.

The killer nicknamed Smiley sat in the last row of an Alaska Airlines jet, barreling toward Los Angeles and his past. During 14 years on the run, Jose Luis Saenz had cast a shadow over his old Boyle Heights neighborhood. He vanished after his first alleged murder in 1998. An informant warned that Saenz would keep killing until he was caught. He resurfaced on the Whittier doorstep of a man who'd lost more than half a million dollars in drug money.

'Don't go to the house,' he said, according to Hunnicutt. 'Please, Grandma, don't go.' She asked Saenz what he'd done. He hung up. Vildosola went in first. In Saenz's old bedroom, Fernandez lay in a tangle of sheets on a bare mattress, wearing only an unbuttoned pair of blue shorts. An electric fan was perched on an ironing board, blowing air toward the bed. Vildosola tickled her feet, thinking she was asleep. ''Come on, Sigreda, get up.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 11. in US

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

DC Announces José Luis García-López Artist Spotlight Variant CoversDC Comics announces a series of variant covers featuring the work of iconic artist José Luis García-López, showcasing his designs from the DC Comics Style Guide.
Source: ComicBook - 🏆 65. / 68 Read more »

Two-alarm fire destroys two homes in downtown San JoseThe fire began in one home, and spread to another abandoned house next door, destroying both, according to a fire department spokesperson.
Source: mercnews - 🏆 88. / 68 Read more »

High-profile retailer moves from one San Jose mega mall to anotherHigh-profile retailer H&M is moving from one San Jose mega-mall to another nearby mega-mall.
Source: mercnews - 🏆 88. / 68 Read more »

City of San Jose testing use of AI to identify potholes, graffiti and homeless encampmentsIn Silicon Valley, tech companies are already harnessing the power of AI. Now the city of San Jose wants to do the same.
Source: KTVU - 🏆 465. / 53 Read more »

San Jose appoints interim chief of policeJoseph has been with San Jose Police since 1994 and Asst. Police Chief since March 2021.
Source: KTVU - 🏆 465. / 53 Read more »

This week’s San Luis Obispo County government meetingsBy CalCoastNews staff The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors will meet at 9 a.m. on March 26 in the board chambers. In an action promoted by
Source: californianewsn - 🏆 440. / 53 Read more »