Tragic theories over shooting death of pregnant teen and boyfriend found in car
After the body of Savanah Soto was discovered in a vehicle near the hospital where she was set to be induced into labour just days earlier, many theories have circulated as to the reasoning behind her and her boyfriend's brutal murders.
Soto went missing on Saturday, December 23, the same day she was set to give birth to her unborn child, which some on the internet are saying she had planned to name Fabian. She was reported missing by her mother, Gloria Cordova, after she didn't appear for the vital hospital visit that was scheduled for 6.30pm local time that evening.
Authorities from the San Antonio Police Department and other investigating law enforcement bodies reported that their bodies had been there for approximately four days when they were found, both with gunshot wounds, reported local station KSAT.
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Soto and Guerra's bodies were found in a car near the hospital where she was set to be induced and give birth just days prior (KENS 5)Their bodies were located in the 5900 block of Danny Kaye Drive, which is near several San Antonio Hospitals. Matthew Guerra, 22, and Soto were both referred to as victims by the police. The Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office hasn't yet officially confirmed that one of the bodies was Soto's, but they did confirm that the other was Guerra's.
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The 18-year-old's unborn child was also pronounced dead at the scene, the authorities revealed, which San Antonio Police Lieutenant Michelle Ramos told CNN escalated the charges pending against any suspects found to capital murder. That carries a charge of life without the possibility of parole or the death penalty, in some cases.
Soto and Guerra had reportedly last been seen in the early afternoon hours of Friday, December 22, leaving Soto's apartment in the 6000 block of Grissom Road in the grey Kia Optima in which they were found.
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Guerra was reportedly a drug dealer and was involved in a rough street lifesyle
Many theories have circulated as to the reasoning behind Savanah Soto and boyfriend Matthew Guerra's brutal murders (TIkTok)But why were Soto and Guerra killed? The Facebook page titled "Find Savanah Soto Discussion," which was created during the days-long search for the missing teen, has circulated many theories as to why they were killed.
Murder-suicide
Some Facebook users believe the case was a murder-suicide. Guerra was known to be abusive to Soto, and it recently came to light that she had a restraining order against him, court documents claim. The 18-year-old mother-to-be had filed charges against Guerra on Christmas last year after he reportedly beat her.
The order stated that Guerra was "prohibited from intentionally, knowingly or recklessly communicating with Savanah Soto in a harmful or injurious manner, whether by telephone, in writing or in person."
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Soto and Guerra were last seen at their apartment the day before she was set to be induced
When Soto went missing, Cordova posted to her Facebook page that she believed her daughter may have been kidnapped by Guerra, who she said was "no good."
The restraining order and Cordova's statement have both led many to believe that Guerra was controlling, with user Gonzalez Christina stating: "Her abusive bf’s last act of control was to take her and their baby’s life.. not caring that he was now making the mother of Savanah grieve for 2 of her own children and a grandchild.."
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The second child she was referring to was 15-year-old Ethan Soto, who was murdered in May 2022 after he reportedly stole THC cartridges from Victor Nathaneal Rivas.
Retribution for court fight
When Rivas appeared in court in October this year to answer for the murder charges against Ethan, he allegedly made a gesture to Ethan's family in court that prompted several of them to launch themselves at him in what soon turned into a giant courtroom brawl. (See video above)
Ethan was murdered for reportedly stealing THC cartridges from Victor Nathaneal Rivas (Facebook)Four of Ethan's family members, all men, were charged with assault and the disruption of court proceedings, according to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, per KSAT.
But some believe that killing Savanah may have been retribution for the brawl in Ethan's case, with people running in Rivas' circle potentially seeking retribution for the attack on Rivas. More, however, believe it was actually tied to Guerra and not Ethan.
The Soto family attacks Rivas in court (KSAT 12)
The brawl reportedly broke out after Rivas made a gesture to the family of Ethan, who was present at the trial (KSAT 12)Others were much more skeptical, however. One anonymous user posted: "I love reading everyone’s theories, but, please, keep in mind that he was tortured and she was not. This doesn’t have anything to do with Savannah’s brother or the fact that her family beat the murderer. If it did, she would have been tortured as well."
The authorities have not confirmed whether or not Guerra was tortured. The user continued: "This has something to do with drugs and money and what lifestyle Matthew and Savannah were apart of."
Violent robbery
A few Facebook users believe Guerra was targeted in an act of violent robbery and that Savanah was collateral damage.
"He simply couldve been robbed. He flossed money and his drugs like he was untouchable, unfortunately he was not. Live by the sword, die by the sword type ish," wrote user Tiffani Hagen.
Some theorised that Savanah was killed because of a brawl that happened in court in her brother's murder case (Rivera Kass/Facebook)Some of the last pics of Guerra and Savanah together show him flexing large stacks of cash as they pose for selfies, which some believe others may have picked up on and used to target him.
The police also announced on Thursday, according to News4SA, that a gun and mobile phones weren't found in the vehicle, which some believe could indicate that it was a robbery and that said devices were taken.
Drug deal gone wrong
Others yet believe the slayings occurred because of a drug deal that went wrong or because of Guerra's alleged presence in the drug-dealing world that could have made him a threat to rival dealers.
"If it's drug/gang related that is apart of the game. We may not understand it but if this is how they were brought up that is all they know and to them its just apart of their life style," wrote Facebooker Karissa Avila.
She went on to describe how Savanah might have been caught up in the mix, stating that many times, the partners of drug dealers are the "ride and die" type, meaning that they know what dangers they're getting themselves into when they start a relationship with the dealers.
Savanah was likely collateral damage, some theorise, stating that the real target was her boyfriend (Rivera Kass/Facebook)"People tend to forget often these women that are in this type of relationship participate in the game with their man. Yes that means often they pickup or drop-off or whatever. It's not right and doesn't justify their murder. It's sad. Very sad cycle," she concluded.
Amanda Levotch was skeptical of the connection between the killing and the drug-dealing life, however, writing: "Idk anything about the drug dealer life, and I don't know how to say this respectfully.. but was this kid that 'big of a deal' in the drug world to have some sort of hit out on him, his family, They drove an old kia and lived in a little apartment, not looking like big time money or anything, idk what types of things could get someone killed."
Cartel hit
One user theorised that the killings may have been cartel-related, which would fit in with the theory that they were at least drug-related. The anonymous Facebooker posted that they had seen a TikTok recently that showed him flashing bundles of cash and another where he discussed some new drug flavours he had coming in.
The user also said they were found tied up, which has not been confirmed. They went on to say that Savanah likely knew that Guerra was dealing but not the extent to which he was, which may have put her in increased danger.
Tessie Zbranek-Kosanke was quick to shut that theory down, however. She wrote: "Cartel don't leave bodies in traffic areas they make them disappear and they don't kill women and children and if they do its because someone took one of theirs. That's just knowledge and common sense. They definitely are not going to leave evidence to get caught. A cartel is an entire operation. That would just be sloppy."
Others agreed with her and stated that, while they agreed it could be drug-related, it likely wasn't a cartel hit.
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