BAKERSFIELD, CA-- A major break in a high-profile murder case. The man wanted for the hacking death of a Lancaster woman more than five years ago has been arrested. One of the woman's best friends, who lives here in Bakersfield, is grateful the suspected killer is being brought to justice.
The words rejoice and joy were used by Elaina Vasquez to describe her emotions after hearing the news. She is not shy to say what she feels should be the appropriate punishment for Jesus Canales.
"For me personally, cause I know Lucy, I would say the death penalty but at the same time that is my opinion, " Vasquez said.
Strong words from Elaina Vasquez who's happy that Jesus Canales is in a Los Angeles County jail but still angry over what he did to her friend Lucy Preciado. Canales is accused of stabbing Preciado with a sword in front of her four children. The case was covered on the TV show “America's Most Wanted” which aired the 9-1-1 call from Preciado's daughter.
In 2008 Vasquez put her energy into many fundraisers and car washes with the proceeds going to Preciado's family. She wishes she could have been more persuasive with Preciado to leave her abusive boyfriend.
"A lot of people say ' you know I would just leave' but until you are in that situation, he threatened her, he threatened to kill her, to kill the kids, threatened to kill the family if she were to leave him," Vasquez said.
Canales eluded authorities for five years ultimately ending up in Mexico. Authorities there expelled him from the country and was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on November 16. Vasquez was overwhelmed when she heard the news.
"I was so happy,” Vasquez said. “I actually had found out on Saturday and just tears of joy. We have been waiting for five years and finally he has been caught."
Authorities are holding Jesus Canales in Los Angeles on a $1.4 million bail bond.
The words rejoice and joy were used by Elaina Vasquez to describe her emotions after hearing the news. She is not shy to say what she feels should be the appropriate punishment for Jesus Canales.
"For me personally, cause I know Lucy, I would say the death penalty but at the same time that is my opinion, " Vasquez said.
Strong words from Elaina Vasquez who's happy that Jesus Canales is in a Los Angeles County jail but still angry over what he did to her friend Lucy Preciado. Canales is accused of stabbing Preciado with a sword in front of her four children. The case was covered on the TV show “America's Most Wanted” which aired the 9-1-1 call from Preciado's daughter.
In 2008 Vasquez put her energy into many fundraisers and car washes with the proceeds going to Preciado's family. She wishes she could have been more persuasive with Preciado to leave her abusive boyfriend.
"A lot of people say ' you know I would just leave' but until you are in that situation, he threatened her, he threatened to kill her, to kill the kids, threatened to kill the family if she were to leave him," Vasquez said.
Canales eluded authorities for five years ultimately ending up in Mexico. Authorities there expelled him from the country and was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on November 16. Vasquez was overwhelmed when she heard the news.
"I was so happy,” Vasquez said. “I actually had found out on Saturday and just tears of joy. We have been waiting for five years and finally he has been caught."
Authorities are holding Jesus Canales in Los Angeles on a $1.4 million bail bond.