California man allegedly killed wife to stop her from testifying as a witness
The California man who allegedly killed his missing wife wanted to prevent her from testifying about a crime she witnessed, a new criminal complaint reveals.
The complaint, obtained by station FOX 40 and unveiled during a Tuesday court appearance, hints at 44-year-old Anthony Gumina’s motive in the alleged slaying of Heather Gumina Waters, 33.
“Heather Gumina was a witness to a crime and was intentionally killed to prevent her from testifying in a criminal proceeding,” the complaint says, according to the station.
Though the specific crime was not mentioned, it could have been referring to a January incident in which Gumina was charged with headbutting his wife and tackling her as she held her 4-year-old son, the outlet reported.
Court documents obtained by the station also indicate that Waters kicked in doors and forcibly removed phones from his wife to prevent her from calling 911.
As Gumina appeared before a judge, he teared up as his court-appointed lawyer pushed back his arraignment until Sept. 24, the station reported.A woman who said she was friends with the couple wore pink at court to show support for Gumina Waters and raise awareness of domestic abuse.
“Whether or not he did it, I’m going to be here for support for her because she was a loving soul and she’s gone,” the friend told the station. “Nobody can bring her back.”
Gumina Waters was reported missing after she disappeared from her El Dorado home on July 15, the same day she was released from a hospital where she received treatment for a broken collarbone.
The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office announced Saturday that remains were found Friday in Pleasant Valley as her husband was arrested on an outstanding domestic violence warrant.
While making the arrest, the officers executed a search warrant and discovered the woman’s corpse, which led them to file charges against her husband for homicide, authorities said.
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