Julie Ann Gonzalez Murder – Dora Soto-Derma saw her 21-year-old niece Julie Ann Gonzalez for the last time in March 2010. Susan Woods was found submerged in her bathtub in 1987, having been strangled or drowned. For 20 years, the case remained unsolved until DNA evidence pointed to Joseph Hatley, whom the police had never suspected. In the March 2010 disappearance of his estranged wife, Julie Ann Gonzalez, George De La Cruz was convicted guilty of murder. For the murder of his estranged wife, Julie Ann Gonzalez, George De La Cruz was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.
Julie Ann Gonzalez went missing in March of 2010, and the police assumed she had left town on her own. However, the inquiry quickly revealed that this was not the case, and the cops were left to solve a murder case without a body. Julie’s disappearance is chronicled in Investigation Discovery’s ‘Caught in the Net: Digital Lies,’ which explains how the police were able to pinpoint the perpetrator. If this case piques your interest and you’d like to learn more, we’ve got you covered.
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What Caused Julie Ann Gonzalez’s Death?
Julie Ann Gonzalez was 21 years old at the time of her murder and lived in Dripping Springs, Texas, with her child. Julie was married, but she was estranged from her spouse, and the show stated that they were in the process of divorcing. Julie’s close friends described her as a diligent and kindhearted woman who had accepted her motherly responsibilities and was raising her child independently.
After all, Julie worked at a local Walgreens, and it was there that authorities discovered her vehicle after she vanished. Julie Ann was last seen on March 25, 2010, despite the fact that her estranged husband claimed he was with her on March 26. Julie hasn’t been seen since, but she appears to have stayed active on social media. Surprisingly, the updates implied that she was intending to flee, which surprised Julie’s family because Julie would never abandon her child.
People calling Julie’s phone, on the other hand, never got through. Julie’s family, unable to accept that Julie would suddenly become so erratic, contacted the police and reported her missing.
Who Killed Julie Ann Gonzalez and Why?
Despite the fact that the police conducted a comprehensive search for Julie Ann Gonzales and even supported search groups in searching the nearby areas, there was no sign of her. When questioned, Julie’s former husband, George De La Cruz, claimed that Julie had requested him to care for their daughter and even blamed her for leaving town with another guy, according to the show.
Julie’s family, on the other hand, refused to trust such an explanation and conducted their own investigation. People came upon Julie’s car, which was found abandoned in the parking lot of the Walgreens where she used to work, during one of their searches. Authorities suspected foul play after discovering the car in such a state, and they began compiling a list of suspects with a motive to harm the victim.
During their investigation, the cops discovered that, despite being high school sweethearts, Julie and George’s marriage was tumultuous. George, according to the show, enjoyed being at home without having to work, which was the source of his continual quarrels with Julie. Julie filed for divorce and relocated to her grandfather’s property in Dripping Springs, despite the fact that they had a kid together.
Authorities discovered, on the other side, that after her divorce from her husband, Julie began seeing one of her old lovers, which could have strained Julie’s relationship with George. Despite the lack of forensic or other proof, it was impossible to link George to the disappearance.
Surprisingly, the police had a breakthrough when they tracked Julie’s lost cell phone and discovered that it was still roaming the same regions as George did. The most important piece of evidence, however, came in the form of CCTV footage, which showed George and his daughter shopping together on the day Julie vanished.
Furthermore, investigators discovered after an additional investigation that George had used his divorced wife’s credit card to pay for his shopping, which immediately raised red flags. As a result, George was apprehended and charged with the crime when authorities were convinced of his role in the disappearance.
What Has Happened to George De La Cruz and Where Is He Now?
When he was finally brought before a judge in 2015, George pled not guilty to the accusations levelled against him. Despite this, the jury found him guilty of murder and sentenced him to 30 years to life in jail. As a result, George is currently detained at the Jim Ferguson Unit in Madison County, Texas, and will be eligible for release in 2043.