Motive a mystery after grandma, mom and infant knifed to death in California home

By WILKO MARTÍNEZ-CACHERO, US REPORTER Published: 03:33, 31 May 2026 | Updated: 03:40, 31 May 2026 A grandmother, mother and toddler were knifed to death inside a California home, with law enforcement still trying to figure out what led to the heinous triple stabbing. Fabiola Gonzalez–Nunez, 23, her two–week–old son Mateo Gonzalez and her 54–year–old mother Maria Sylvia Nunez–Villalobos were killed around 9.20am Thursday in Modesto, about 90 miles east of San Francisco. The Modesto Police Department said the triple homicide happened in the 1600 block of Monterey Avenue. Joaquin Escoto, 28, was found 'hiding inside a nearby residence' and arrested for the killings, police said. Investigators said they believed he was in a relationship with Gonzalez–Nuñez, although the exact nature remind unclear. Escoto, a Mexican migrant, is thought to have lived in the home with the victims that he stabbed to death. Another child, a 3–year–old, was also found inside the residence and taken to the hospital for evaluation. Escoto was identified as the father of the uninjured child, whose custody was subsequently assumed by Child Protective Services. Fabiola Gonzalez–Nuñez, 23, and her mother Maria Sylvia Nuñez–Villalobos, 54, were stabbed to death on Thursday from stab wounds Two–week–old son Mateo Gonzalez was also found with stab wounds and later declared dead at a local hospital Joaquin Escoto, 28, faces three counts of murder, special circumstance enhancements and using a deadly weapon. The Mexican migrant had reportedly been deported from the US thrice Escoto, born in Jalisco, had been deported from the US three times prior to the alleged triple homicide, according to the California Post. He was most recently arrested for a DUI in June but set free after being taken into custody despite Immigration and Customs Enforcement seeking to deport him, the outlet reported. Escoto was able to remain California because of its sanctuary laws, which limit state and local law enforcement cooperation for federal immigration enforcement. The Modesto Police Department said it had initially found that Gonzalez–Nuñez had been stabbed multiple times upon responding to the home. She was declared dead on the scene, and officers found Nuñez–Villalobos and the baby Mateo shortly thereafter. Nuñez–Villalobos was also pronounced dead, but the toddler was rushed to a local hospital. The infant, who had also suffered stab wounds, was declared dead there. Gonzalez–Nuñez was the mother of the infant, and Nuñez–Villalobos was his grandmother. Escoto faces three counts of murder, special circumstance enhancements and using a deadly weapon. Authorities said Escoto also had an outstanding arrest warrant related to a prior driving under the influence case. He has been booked into the Stanislaus County Jail, where he is being held without bail. The Modesto Police Department said the alleged triple homicide had taken place in the 1600 block of Monterey Avenue Nuñez–Villalobos was honored as a 'cherished grandmother who loved her family deeply,' while her daughter  Gonzalez–Nuñez was remembered as a 'devoted mother' Escoto, pictured during his arrest, also had an outstanding arrest warrant related to a prior driving under the influence case A GoFundMe started to help cover funeral and counseling expenses for the family said the deaths marked a 'heartbreaking loss that words cannot adequately express.' Nuñez–Villalobos was tributed as a 'cherished grandmother who loved her family deeply.' Meanwhile, her daughter Gonzalez–Nuñez was honored as a 'devoted mother whose love for her children was endless.' The toddler Mateo was remembered as a 'precious baby whose smile and innocence brought happiness to everyone around him.' 'The devastating circumstances surrounding this tragedy have left our family shattered,' the memorial read. 'In a single moment, generations of love, memories, and dreams for the future were taken from us.' As of Saturday, about $30,500 had been raised. A family member, who only identified himself as Javier, said his family was devastated but also expressed relief at Escoto's arrest. Gonzalez–Nuñez is believed to have been in a relationship with Escoto at the time of the triple-homicide, according to investigators  'You can't really do anything to bring them back no more, but we just know that he's going to be in there for a long time, suffering, thinking about what he did,' he told KCRA 3. The family member added: 'That's what's going to be killing him.' The Daily Mail has reached out to the Nuñez family and the Modesto police for further comment. The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. 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