Exeter Man Who Buried His Wife Alive Denied Parole

At a virtual hearing on August 2, 2022, TCDA prosecutors secured a 5-year denial of parole for Cesar Navarro, age 44, for the 1998 murder of his wife. Also in attendance were victim advocates and the victim’s family. Navarro is currently serving his sentence at the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo.

On December 16, 1998, in the city of Exeter, Navarro stabbed his 20-year-old wife multiple times in the head and neck with a screwdriver. Knowing that his wife was still alive after the attack, he buried her in the backyard of their home. Her body was found two-weeks later after family members filed a missing persons report and had been searching for her. At his initial parole hearing in 2014, Navarro said he committed the crime due to perceived infidelity. The victim’s family said that she would often talk about Navarro’s violence with her.

In 2000, a jury convicted Navarro of the murder and was sentenced to life in prison. Navarro was convicted of domestic violence against the victim a few months prior to the murder.

This was Navarro’s second official parole hearing. In 2019, Navarro stipulated to a three-year denial without a hearing. A senior deputy district attorney argued against his release in this case.   

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Assistant District Attorney David Alavezos (559) 636-5494