A devastating murder-suicide in Lakewood, California, on January 15, 2026, claimed the lives of Roxana Rodriguez, 48, and her 17-year-old daughter Sienna Alfaro, leaving behind a grieving family and a community searching for answers. The perpetrator, 52-year-old Hector Lionel Alfaro—Rodriguez’s husband and Sienna’s father—fatally shot both victims before turning the gun on himself in front of his surviving 19-year-old daughter. Now, emerging details point to a secret affair with a much younger woman, fueling speculation that Alfaro may have planned the killings to conceal the infidelity and prevent its exposure.
The tragedy unfolded around 8 a.m. in the family’s home on the 5800 block of Lorelei Avenue. Deputies responded to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon and found a distraught 19-year-old daughter outside. Inside, they discovered Alfaro on the floor in the den with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the upper torso. Rodriguez was located in a bedroom with a gunshot to her torso, and Sienna in another bedroom with similar injuries. All three were pronounced dead at the scene. Two firearms were recovered, and the incident was quickly classified as a murder-suicide.
Rodriguez and Alfaro had been separated for approximately four months prior to the shootings. Sources close to the family indicate the separation stemmed from Rodriguez discovering troubling content on Alfaro’s phone, escalating long-simmering marital discord. Whispers of an affair surfaced soon after, with claims that Alfaro had been involved with a significantly younger woman. Relatives and neighbors allege this secret relationship created intense pressure, as exposure threatened to destroy his family image and reputation. Some speculate Alfaro viewed the killings as a desperate measure to silence potential revelations, though official investigators have not confirmed motive or premeditation beyond the immediate act.
The surviving eldest daughter, Desiree Aguilera, awoke to gunfire and narrowly escaped when Alfaro fired multiple shots at her, missing before he took his own life nearby. Her husband Andrew launched a GoFundMe to support the grieving siblings, describing the loss as “unimaginable violence” that shattered their family. Desiree has spoken publicly about her mother’s devotion as a loving parent, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, emphasizing Roxana’s warmth and selflessness. Sienna, known as “Lilly” to loved ones, was remembered as a vibrant teen whose life was cut short in the chaos.
A candlelight vigil held shortly after the incident drew community members honoring Rodriguez and Sienna. Floral tributes, prayers, and shared memories filled the evening as people grappled with the horror of domestic violence escalating to lethal extremes. The GoFundMe campaign has raised funds for funeral expenses and support for the surviving sisters, reflecting the outpouring of solidarity amid profound sorrow.
Emerging family statements add layers to the tragedy. Rodriguez’s mother has expressed deep regret, revealing that six months earlier her daughter endured abuse from Alfaro and sought divorce. Advised to stay for the children’s sake, Rodriguez remained in the marriage—advice now haunting in hindsight. This revelation underscores patterns of control and escalation often seen in abusive relationships, where separation can trigger heightened danger.
Alfaro’s side of the family has introduced another twist, demanding DNA testing on a deceased granddaughter from prior to the incident. They claim suspicious circumstances around her death may have contributed to Alfaro’s mental state, suggesting a “deadly secret” triggered his actions. While unverified, this request has fueled online speculation about deeper family turmoil, though authorities have not linked it directly to the shootings.
The case highlights persistent issues in domestic violence dynamics. Rodriguez’s separation marked a critical risk period; statistics show heightened lethality when victims leave abusive partners. Neighbors and friends describe a household that appeared normal outwardly, yet underlying tensions boiled over catastrophically. No prior police calls for domestic incidents at the home were reported publicly, raising questions about hidden abuse.
As the investigation continues, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has not released an official motive. The double murder-suicide leaves no living perpetrator to question, leaving survivors and investigators to piece together fragments: a discovered affair, marital breakdown, escalating conflict, and a final, irreversible act of violence. For the surviving daughter who witnessed her father’s rampage, trauma will linger long after headlines fade.
Rodriguez was remembered as a devoted mother who prioritized her children above all. Sienna, full of promise at 17, had her future stolen in an instant. The family’s pain echoes in every vigil candle and GoFundMe donation—a stark reminder that behind closed doors, betrayal and violence can erupt without warning. The secret affair, whether the direct catalyst or part of broader discord, adds a layer of heartbreak: lives destroyed not just by bullets, but by choices that poisoned trust long before the trigger was pulled.
In Lakewood, the community mourns two women whose kindness touched many, while grappling with the why behind a father’s unthinkable actions. No explanation fully heals such loss, but the emerging details demand reflection on prevention—stronger support for those escaping abuse, better mental health resources, and vigilance for signs that danger is building. Roxana and Sienna deserved safety, not silence. Their story, though tragic, urges others to speak up before it’s too late.
