Life Sentence for 2020 Tulare Murder
Today in Department 22 of the Tulare County Superior Court, South County Justice Center, the court sentenced Alicia Espinoza, age 27, to life in prison for murder.
In the afternoon of November 1, 2020, Tulare Police Department Officers responded to the report of a deceased male at his residence. The victim, who was in a dating relationship with Espinoza, was found by a family member in a pool of blood in the bathroom. An autopsy revealed 28 stab wounds, including a fatal wound to his heart. Video surveillance showed the defendant fleeing the residence barefoot through the backdoor and backyard fence. Officers located bloody hand and footprints in the background and found a kitchen knife near a footprint. On November 12, 2020, with the assistance of United States Marshals, Espinoza was located in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and transferred back to the United States.
Through investigation, it was learned that days prior to the crime, Espinoza had damaged an heirloom belonging to the victim’s family. During a tense text message conversation with the family, Espinoza threatened to kill the victim.
On March 28, 2025, Espinoza pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and second-degree burglary. According to current California sentencing laws, Espinoza must serve 20 years in prison, not including credits determined by CDCR.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Chelsea Wayt and was investigated by the Tulare Police Department.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Communications Director Stuart Anderson (559) 636-5494