Vanessa Sanchez has been remembered as a woman who ‘loved fiercely and wholeheartedly’ after her body was found stuffed into a suitcase at her apartment in Berkeley, California
A man has been charged with murder after the body of a woman who was fighting Stage 4 breast cancer was found stuffed inside a suitcase.
Vanessa Sanchez, 37, was found dead at her flat in Berkeley, California, in the US, after local police received a call about a body being discovered in a building on May 30.
A property manager had called authorities after performing a wellness check, with Ms Sanchez’s remains found stuffed inside bin bag, which had in turn been placed inside a suitcase.
The grim discovery was made just a few days after local outlets report that she was seen entering the flat with Damarcus David Jones, who has now been charged with her murder.
Detectives said that Jones, 28, was last seen entering the flat alongside Ms Sanchez on May 24, and that this was the last day she was seen alive. The investigators added, according to NBC Bay Area, that cameras captured Jones returning to a building carrying a large roller suitcase.
He was arrested on Tuesday, June 2, in Solano County, California, on Tuesday, and charged with murder, with court records cited by NBC stating that Jones had told investigators he killed Ms Sanchez.
The same records, the report added, indicated that he had tried to cover up the odor inside Ms Sanchez’s flat by opening the windows and switching on an air purifier.
Her death came as a huge shock to the beloved woman’s family, as she had been relentlessly fighting a battle with advanced breast cancer at the time.
Her mum, Mary Sanchez, had set up a GoFundMe account following Ms Sanchez’s metastatic breast cancer diagnosis in 2023, stating the “beautiful, kind, generous, funny, and so full-of-life” woman had a “very hard journey ahead of her”.
The account, which sought to raise funds for her medical bills and medical expenses while she battled “for her very life”, raised $47,415 (£35,530) of a $60,000 ($44,961) goal. It was updated last week to announce the “devastating heartbreak” her death had caused, with a tribute to the “bright, bright light”.
The tribute read: “In 2023 she was diagnosed with Stage Four Breast Cancer. She fought hard, with bravery and grace. Her family will always be grateful for the astounding support and generosity from friends and family who helped her as she battled.”
“Vanessa loved fiercely and wholeheartedly. She had an extraordinary gift for making people feel seen, valued, loved and deeply cared for.
“Those fortunate enough to be loved by her knew the warmth, kindness and unwavering support she gave so freely.” The tribute added: “While our hearts are devastated beyond measure, we are also profoundly grateful for the gift of having Vanessa in our lives.
“Her remarkable personality, incredible talents, courage, and determination inspired so many. Through every challenge and curveball life placed in her path, she met it all with great strength, resilience, and grace.”
