Related links
SAN DIEGO -
Hundreds of fellow officers and loved ones gathered at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in El Cajon Saturday to say goodbye to a U.S. Border Protection officer allegedly killed by her estranged husband last week.
border protections officer 28 year old Maribel Arteaga, 28, was stabbed to death Thursday night when she opened the door of her Chula Vista home.
Arteaga was two months pregnant with her third child when she was stabbed to death at her Santa Alicia Avenue residence last Thursday.
Witnesses told police that 28-year-old Jesus "Alex'' Arteaga Garcia knocked on his wife's front door just before 8:30 that night and and attacked her with a long-bladed hunting knife or fishing knife when she answered.
The couple's sons, ages 4 and 6, were home at the time of the attack. So was the victim's live-in boyfriend, an employee of the federal Department of Homeland Security, though he was in another room.
"She was a loving mom," her cousin, Erick Tapia, said. "She always showed affection to her kids. There was never one moment you saw her angry. She was just so kind hearted al the time."
Tapia said Arteaga was an inspiration to the entire family. She was the first to finish college.
"The little boys are still confused, and her mother -- well, she is obviously devastated," Tapia said. "I feel so sorry. She didn't deserve this."
Jesus Arteaga's gray Ford Ranger pickup truck was found abandoned in Tijuana on Friday night. The suspect, who filed for divorce in November, grew up in the northern Baja California city.
His wife of eight years had worked as a Customs officer since last spring.
Savings accounts have been established to help provide support for the couple's sons. Anyone wishing to contribute is asked to contact Cabrillo Credit Union at 858-547-7400, ext. 540, and reference account No. 192541.
border protections officer 28 year old Maribel Arteaga, 28, was stabbed to death Thursday night when she opened the door of her Chula Vista home.
Arteaga was two months pregnant with her third child when she was stabbed to death at her Santa Alicia Avenue residence last Thursday.
Witnesses told police that 28-year-old Jesus "Alex'' Arteaga Garcia knocked on his wife's front door just before 8:30 that night and and attacked her with a long-bladed hunting knife or fishing knife when she answered.
The couple's sons, ages 4 and 6, were home at the time of the attack. So was the victim's live-in boyfriend, an employee of the federal Department of Homeland Security, though he was in another room.
"She was a loving mom," her cousin, Erick Tapia, said. "She always showed affection to her kids. There was never one moment you saw her angry. She was just so kind hearted al the time."
Tapia said Arteaga was an inspiration to the entire family. She was the first to finish college.
"The little boys are still confused, and her mother -- well, she is obviously devastated," Tapia said. "I feel so sorry. She didn't deserve this."
Jesus Arteaga's gray Ford Ranger pickup truck was found abandoned in Tijuana on Friday night. The suspect, who filed for divorce in November, grew up in the northern Baja California city.
His wife of eight years had worked as a Customs officer since last spring.
Savings accounts have been established to help provide support for the couple's sons. Anyone wishing to contribute is asked to contact Cabrillo Credit Union at 858-547-7400, ext. 540, and reference account No. 192541.
