Family members of Hector Lionel Alfaro have formally requested DNA testing on the body of a deceased granddaughter who died before the January 15, 2026 murder-suicide that claimed the lives of his estranged wife Roxana Rodriguez, 48, and their 17-year-old daughter Sienna Alfaro. The stunning demand, submitted through legal representatives to Los Angeles County authorities, alleges suspicious circumstances surrounding the child’s earlier death and suggests those events contributed to a “severe mental breakdown” that culminated in Alfaro fatally shooting Rodriguez and Sienna before turning the gun on himself in front of his surviving 19-year-old daughter.
The granddaughter, whose identity and exact age have not been publicly released due to privacy concerns, reportedly passed away several months prior to the Lakewood tragedy. Relatives claim they have uncovered inconsistencies in medical reports, witness statements, and the official cause of death that were never adequately investigated. They assert the unresolved questions surrounding her passing placed immense psychological pressure on Alfaro, potentially exacerbating existing marital strain and leading to the catastrophic outburst. While no formal link has been established by investigators, the request has dramatically shifted public focus from the immediate crime scene to a possible chain of family tragedies.
The murder-suicide occurred around 8 a.m. in the family’s home on the 5800 block of Lorelei Avenue. Deputies responded to reports of shots fired and an assault with a deadly weapon. They found the 19-year-old daughter, Desiree Aguilera, outside in distress. Inside, Alfaro lay in the den with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the upper torso. Rodriguez was discovered in one bedroom and Sienna in another, both killed by single gunshot wounds to the torso. Two firearms were recovered at the scene. The incident was quickly ruled a murder-suicide.
Rodriguez and Alfaro had been separated for roughly four months. Sources indicate the separation followed Rodriguez discovering concerning material on Alfaro’s phone, intensifying long-standing marital conflict. Rumors of an affair with a much younger woman circulated shortly afterward, with some relatives speculating that fear of exposure may have contributed to escalating tension. The surviving daughter’s narrow escape—Alfaro fired multiple shots at her before killing himself nearby—has left her traumatized. Her husband Andrew created a GoFundMe to support the grieving siblings, describing the violence as “unimaginable” and the loss as devastating.
The DNA request introduces a deeply unsettling new dimension. Alfaro’s relatives insist the granddaughter’s death was never properly examined and that lingering doubts about the manner of her passing haunted him. They argue that unresolved grief, combined with marital breakdown and possible guilt or suspicion, created a psychological powder keg. While the claim remains unverified and speculative, it has prompted renewed scrutiny of earlier family incidents. Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office records show the child’s death was ruled natural or accidental at the time, but no public autopsy details have been released. The family’s legal team has requested exhumation and independent DNA analysis to rule out foul play or medical negligence.
Community reaction has been polarized. Candlelight vigils honoring Roxana and Sienna drew dozens of mourners who focused on the immediate horror of domestic violence claiming two lives. Many expressed sympathy for the surviving daughter who witnessed her father’s rampage. Others, however, seized on the DNA demand as evidence of deeper family secrets, fueling online speculation about hidden abuse, cover-ups, or even prior violence within the household. No prior police reports of domestic incidents at the residence have surfaced publicly, but neighbors described occasional loud arguments in the months leading up to the separation.
Roxana Rodriguez was remembered by friends and family as a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who always put others first. Sienna, affectionately called “Lilly,” was described as a vibrant, loving teenager whose future was stolen in an instant. Desiree has spoken publicly about her mother’s warmth and her sister’s gentle spirit, emphasizing that both women deserved safety and peace.
The case underscores persistent patterns in domestic violence fatalities. Separation remains one of the most dangerous periods for victims; statistics indicate heightened risk when a partner leaves an abusive relationship. Mental health experts note that unresolved grief, jealousy, or fear of exposure can act as catalysts in already volatile situations. Whether the granddaughter’s death played any role remains speculative, but the family’s insistence on DNA testing suggests they believe it holds answers that could contextualize—if not explain—the final act of violence.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has not commented on the DNA request or indicated whether it will be granted. The double murder-suicide leaves no living perpetrator to interview, making motive reconstruction reliant on witness statements, digital evidence, and family accounts. Investigators continue examining Alfaro’s phone, financial records, and communications in the lead-up to the tragedy.
For the surviving daughter and extended family, the pain is compounded by unanswered questions on two fronts: the immediate horror of January 15 and now the shadow cast by an earlier loss. The GoFundMe campaign continues to support funeral costs and counseling for the siblings. Vigils and memorial posts keep Roxana and Sienna’s memories alive while the community grapples with how ordinary homes can hide extraordinary danger.
The demand for DNA testing on a deceased child has transformed a tragic murder-suicide into a multi-layered mystery. Whether it uncovers wrongdoing or simply reflects desperate grief, the request ensures that the story of Roxana Rodriguez, Sienna Alfaro, and their family will not fade quietly. In Lakewood, two lives were taken by bullets—but the search for truth may ultimately reveal wounds that began long before the gunfire.