California Man Convicted of Murdering Girlfriend

Saul C. Nava, a 24-year-old California man, was convicted of nine felony counts, including first-degree murder, for the brutal torture and killing of his girlfriend, Alisen Takacs-Escobar, on Christmas Eve 2021. Prosecutors revealed that Nava tortured Takacs-Escobar for days, inflicting extensive injuries and tattooing degrading words on her chest before calling 911 for help. Upon arrival, police discovered her dead with a large head laceration and evidence of severe abuse throughout her body. Videos found on Nava's phone showed him taunting her as her condition deteriorated. The jury's verdict came after only one day of deliberation, bringing some closure to the victims’ families, according to Senior Deputy District Attorney David Russell. Nava had a history of abusive behavior in previous relationships, with reports of similar patterns of violence against former girlfriends.