Merced Country Sheriff: (00:02)
Our worst fears have been confirmed. I said it earlier, there’s a special place in hell for this guy, and I mean it.
Mark Brown: (00:09)
Heartbreaking news. The search for a missing California family, kidnapped at gunpoint, has ended in tragedy. All four members, including an 8-month-old baby, have been found dead. The search came to an end hours after this surveillance video was released, but is another killer still at large? Eyewitness News reporter, Leanne Suter, live with more on the breaking details. Leanne.
Leanne Suter: (00:30)
Mark, it is the ending so many feared after the 8-month-old and her family were kidnapped. As you said, tonight, all four are dead.
Merced Country Sheriff: (00:40)
There’s a special place in hell for this guy.
Leanne Suter: (00:42)
Anger and frustration from the Merced County Sheriff after the missing family of four was found murdered in a remote orchard, not far from where their phones had been found along the road.
Merced Country Sheriff: (00:53)
There’s no words right now to describe the anger I feel and the senselessness of this incident. I’m just livid inside because this was completely, totally senseless. We have a whole family blacked out, and for what? We don’t know yet.
Leanne Suter: (01:07)
The heartbreaking discovery by a farm worker coming just hours after authorities released surveillance video showing the armed suspect walking into the family’s business, then leading the two men out at gunpoint with their hands bound. Moments later, the 8-month-old and her mother, all put into the truck, which was found set on fire, triggering the investigation. Devastated family members making a tearful plea.
Sukhdeep Singh: (01:30)
Please help us out. Come forward. So my family comes home safe.
Balwinder: (01:34)
We are devastated. We are shocked. We are dying every moment.
Leanne Suter: (01:40)
Authorities won’t say how 8-month-old Aroohi, her parents, and her uncle were murdered. But say the suspect, 48 year old Jesus Salgado, who tried to take his own life before being taken into custody, is talking with investigators. But so far, still no reason why he targeted the family.
Merced Country Sheriff: (01:58)
Horribly, horribly senseless as to what happened here. We don’t know motivation yet, but we are making a determinant factor on that. And the investigation now is going to pursue a full conviction.
Leanne Suter: (02:15)
And the sheriff says he hopes the DA will seek the death penalty in this case. He also says he believes there is another suspect, someone else who helped in this horrific crime.
Mark Brown: (02:26)
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