Savannah Soto was a young woman full of life and driven by ambition. She grew up in San Antonio, Texas where she received her education. It is here that she gathered the strength from community bonds to go forth in her life’s mission as well as affection for those around her.
Characterized by an alluring smile and contagious laughter, Savannah’s memory lives on within the hearts of many who loved her deeply. She had lofty ambitions, aiming to enter the medical path and improve her society.
Her beginning life was full of a hardworking attitude, love for studying and commitment towards family members and buddies. Sadly, her life was brought to an end early. She leaves behind a memory of love, optimism and a community that will forever keep alive her lively character.
The Fateful Night of December 21, 2023
Savannah Soto and her boyfriend Matthew Guerra were tragically killed on the night of December 21, 2023. According to authorities, Guerra went to the residence of Christopher Preciado, 19, to sell him marijuana. During the drug trade, an incident broke out, and Preciado shot Soto in the head.
When Guerra pointed a gun at Preciado, he was shot in the head from close range, resulting in a contact gunshot wound. The medical health examiner determined that Soto and Guerra died of single gunshot wounds to the head. Preciado’s father, Ramon Preciado, 53, assisted his son in moving the bodies to a nearby apartment complex parking lot, where they were discovered five days later, on December 26.
The Suspects
Christopher Preciado, Ramon Preciado, and Myrta Romanos are charged with the deaths of Savannah Soto and Matthew Guerra. Christopher Preciado was charged with capital murder and his father, Ramon Preciado was charged with corpse abuse after reportedly helping relocate the remains.
Myrta Romanos, Christopher’s stepmother, was charged with changing or destroying a human corpse, abusing a corpse, and interfering with evidence. Christopher was accused of the deaths, with his father assisting in the removal of the bodies, and Romanos was charged with assisting in the disposal of evidence related to the murders.
The Gruesome Discovery
Savannah Soto and Matthew Guerra were found dead in a car days later, a heartbreaking finding that shocked their loved ones and the community. The terrible scene occurred on December 26, 2023, when their bodies were discovered inside a silver Kia Optima parked in a Northwest Side apartment complex parking lot.
The news of their deaths left their families and the community in shock, struggling with the devastating loss of two young lives taken so senselessly and violently. The community lamented Savannah and Matthew’s deaths and banded together to offer support during this terrible period.
Savannah’s Unborn Child
Savannah Soto was pregnant at the time of her death, which added to the already painful scenario. Savannah was scheduled for induced delivery on December 23, but she never arrived at the hospital, leaving her family distraught.
The loss of Savannah and her pregnant child, a newborn boy she had been looking forward to, exacerbated her loved ones’ grief.
The Arrest and Charges
Christopher Preciado, 19, was charged with capital murder after killing Savannah Soto and Matthew Guerra. His 53-year-old father, Ramon Preciado, was charged with corpse abuse after reportedly assisting in the removal of the bodies.
Myrta Romanos, Christopher’s stepmother, was arrested on three felony charges: altering/destroying a human corpse, abusing a corpse, and tampering with evidence. Video surveillance captured Romanos at her home shortly after the murders, leaving in a black truck and eventually returning with the other two suspects. Police believe she was engaged in the removal of evidence since she owned the gun thought to have been used in the killings.
The Victims’ Families Speak Out
Savannah Soto and Matthew Guerra’s loved ones were overcome with agony and anguish as they dealt with the loss of their beloved family members. The relatives expressed their grief and fury, demanding justice and accountability for the terrible murders.
They urged that the accused be held fully accountable for their atrocious actions, hoping that justice would prevail. The community rallied around the families, offering them support and solidarity as they faced the hardest of times.
The Community Mourns
Savannah Soto’s terrible death shook the San Antonio community, eliciting an outpouring of sympathy for her family and loved ones. Vigils and memorials were held to remember her memory and those of her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra, who was also killed. The community joined together to grieve the death of two young lives stolen far too soon, with many expressing their grief and fury via social media.
Image Credit: ksat.comThe case gained worldwide attention, with online groups and debates forming to track developments and provide assistance to the families. While the culprits’ arrests provided some closure, the community continued to struggle with the senseless violence that claimed Savannah and Matthew’s lives.
Savannah’s Previous Loss
The Soto family’s grief was exacerbated by the sad murder of Savannah’s younger brother, Ethan, barely 15 months before her death. In May 2022, Ethan was shot and died in what authorities characterized as a retaliation for a narcotics robbery. Victor Nathaneal Rivas, 18, is suspected of killing Ethan by luring him out of his home with an underage female and then shooting him numerous times.
Ethan’s death devastated the family, and they were still grieving when Savannah and her pregnant child were snatched away in an equally senseless act of violence.
The Suspects’ Bonds Reduced
The contentious decision to decrease the defendants’ bail in the murder cases of Savannah Soto and Matthew Guerra prompted widespread outrage and criticism of the legal system. The reduction of the suspects’ bonds sparked worries about the apparent leniency in legal proceedings, as well as the potential consequences for the pursuit of justice.
Many members of the community were outraged by what they viewed as a lack of accountability and openness in the case’s management, which highlighted broader concerns of confidence and justice in the court system.
Seeking Justice for Savannah
As the judicial proceedings for the killings of Savannah Soto and Matthew Guerra continue, there is a shared desire to fight for justice and hold the perpetrators accountable. The community, along with the victims’ families, is unwavering in their pursuit of justice and closure.
In the face of unspeakable tragedy, Savannah Soto’s memory serves as a beacon of hope and perseverance. Her story is a sad reminder of the fragility of life and the critical need to address the systemic conditions that contribute to such senseless acts of violence.