‘My baby’s gone’ Mother of victim in Coachella double homicide speaks out
The mother of a Monique Vega, 26, is reminiscing about the last moments she had with her daughter.
Vega was one of two people killed in a Coachella home over the weekend. The other victim was identified as Hector Ramos, 23, of La Quinta.
Their bodies were discovered Sunday at around 8:45 a.m. at a home in the 85300 block of Avenue 52. Authorities say they were found with significant trauma inside a casita attached to the main residence.
Vega lived with her parents in Val Verde, just northwest of Santa Clarita.
“That day, she grabbed me and hugged me, said I love you, mom. I said, I love you too mija, said Vega's mother Yolanda Vega.
She told News Channel 3 she last saw her daughter on Thursday. Yolanda said Monique was moving into the home on Avenue 52 in Coachella. “She's getting a place set up, and she's supposed to be taking the kids. She was in the process of moving and helping her friend as well.”
The last time she heard from her daughter was on Saturday evening. “No response, emailing her- no response, FaceTime- no response. I tried, my son try, my husband tried, my granddaughter tried. And there is no answer.”
Immediately she knew something was wrong. “My heart is hurting for some reason. And I go, I haven't heard from Monique. Something's wrong," Yolanda explained, "I called the hospitals, nothing. So my husband was on the internet and he decided to look up Coachella. You know, maybe there was something going on or whatever.”
After seeing the news and calling the Coroner’s Office, that’s when they heard the worse news a parent could ever hear. “They said it was my daughter. My baby was gone," Yolanda said. "I was on my knees begging God please take it back. I don't want that to happen to my daughter. I want her home. Don't let this be, let this be your nightmare and I'm gonna wake up”.
Her mother saying she was at the wrong place, at the wrong time. “I love you. I miss you. Why did you have to go with there you stay home that day. You would be here today with me dad in the family your babies, your babies.”
Monique, turning 26 just two months ago, leaves behind two daughters. A 10-year-old and a 10-month-old baby girl.
“She loved them so much. Monique's always had a kind heart and a warm soul was always do everything for everybody and she was always there for her kids.”
A wonderful mother, daughter and friend to all- her mother telling us she misses everything about her.
“She looks so happy right here and I wanna always remember that.... I love you baby girl. We're gonna be here for you. You will never be forgotten, you will always be in our heart and souls.”
A GoFundMe has been made for Vega's funeral expenses. If you'd like to donate, click here.
A 22-year-old suspect is in custody.
He was arrested in the San Francisco Bay area.According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, the Colma Police Department responded to a 911 call at around 8:20 a.m. on Sunday. Colma Police met with the suspect, who provided information to officers regarding Ramos and Vega in Coachella.
