Son of Lompoc Woman Arrested For Her Murder

The son of a Lompoc woman killed over the summer now faces murder charges in her death, according to police officials in the Orange County city of La Habra.

Gabriel Espinoza of Santa Maria gave a tearful television interview in July just days after his mother’s death, saying he “forgave” whoever committed the crime.

The body of Emma Posadas-Espinoza was found in La Habra on July 21st. At the time, police received a call from a man reporting he had found a dead body in foliage behind a carport in the 900 block of South Idaho Street.

Recently released autopsy results showed she died from asphyxiation.

Gabriel Espinoza was arrested at his Santa Maria home on Tuesday without incident, police said. In July, on the day family members were arranging Posadas-Espinoza’s funeral, he gave an interview to KEYT/KCOY/KKFX. In that interview, he was tearful and said he “forgave” whoever had killed his mother.

Watch the interview below.

Espinoza was charged with 1st degree murder with special circumstances and is currently being held in the Orange County Jail without bail.

VIDEO: Gabriel Espinoza KEYT/KCOY Intervview after Mother’s Death