“Mommy, When Are You Coming?”: The Heartbreaking Elevator Encounter and Neighbors’ Accounts of Violent Arguments Before Ruben Fregosojuarez Allegedly Killed His Girlfriend and Fled with Their Daughter

The elevator in the quiet Los Angeles apartment complex hummed softly as it descended. Inside, 5-year-old Daleyza Fregoso clutched her stuffed unicorn tightly, her small voice repeating the same heartbreaking question over and over: “Daddy, when is Mommy coming? You said Mommy was coming soon.” Standing beside her was her father, Ruben Fregosojuarez, who calmly replied that Mommy would join them later. What the other passenger in the elevator didn’t know at that moment was that Marisol Garcia Palacios, Daleyza’s mother, was already dead — allegedly killed by Ruben just hours earlier. The little girl’s innocent pleas, captured in a witness’s chilling testimony, have now become central to one of the most disturbing domestic violence and child abduction cases in Southern California this year.

Elena Ramirez, the woman who shared that elevator ride on the morning of May 26, 2026, still struggles to speak about what she heard. “The little girl sounded so tired and confused,” she recalled. “She kept asking for her mommy in that whiny, sleepy voice kids have when they’re exhausted. Ruben seemed nervous. He kept checking his phone. Then he made a call in Spanish saying someone needed to be ready to pick them up on the Mexico side of the border.”

But Ramirez wasn’t the only one who noticed something wrong. Several neighbors have now come forward, describing loud, violent arguments coming from the couple’s apartment in the days and hours leading up to the tragedy. One resident on the same floor told investigators she heard Marisol screaming and what sounded like furniture being thrown around late on May 25. Another neighbor reported hearing Ruben shouting threats before a sudden, eerie silence fell over the unit.

These new details paint a terrifying picture of a relationship that spiraled out of control, culminating in alleged murder and the desperate abduction of a frightened 5-year-old girl across an international border.

The Final Hours: Arguments That Neighbors Couldn’t Ignore

In the days before the killing, tension in the apartment had been building. Multiple neighbors described hearing frequent shouting matches between Ruben and Marisol. One woman who lived directly below them said the arguments had grown louder and more frequent in recent weeks.

“I heard Marisol crying and yelling ‘Don’t touch me!’ several times,” the neighbor, who asked not to be named for safety reasons, told reporters. “On the night before she was found, the fighting was especially bad. There was banging, screaming, and then suddenly everything went quiet around 2 a.m. I thought maybe they had gone to sleep, but now I realize that silence was something much worse.”

Another resident recalled seeing Ruben carrying Daleyza out of the building early on May 26. The little girl was crying and asking for her mother. “She looked scared,” he said. “I asked if everything was okay, but Ruben just said they were going on a trip to see family. He seemed in a hurry.”

These witness accounts have become crucial as authorities piece together the timeline. Investigators believe Ruben killed Marisol sometime late on May 25 or early May 26. He then allegedly took Daleyza and fled toward the Mexican border in a white Land Rover, which was later found abandoned near San Diego.

A Loving Mother and a Turbulent Relationship

Marisol Garcia Palacios, 36, was remembered by friends and family as a devoted mother who worked hard to provide a good life for Daleyza. Those close to her say she had been trying to leave the relationship due to increasing control and jealousy from Ruben. She had confided in a few friends that she feared for her safety but was determined to protect her daughter.

The couple had been together for several years. While they presented as a normal family to the outside world, those closest to them knew there were serious problems. Ruben, 40, reportedly had a history of possessive behavior and explosive anger. Friends of Marisol said she had tried to end the relationship multiple times but always returned, partly out of fear and concern for their daughter.

The discovery of Marisol’s body — found with multiple stab wounds in their apartment — sent shockwaves through the community. What many thought was just another domestic dispute had turned deadly.

The Desperate Search for Daleyza

As soon as Marisol’s body was discovered, an Amber Alert was issued for Daleyza Fregoso. Authorities believe Ruben crossed into Tijuana with the child shortly after the killing. Mexican law enforcement has been working closely with U.S. officials, but the search has proven challenging due to Ruben’s possible family connections south of the border.

The phone call Elena Ramirez overheard in the elevator has become a key piece of evidence. Prosecutors argue it shows premeditation and planning. Ruben allegedly told the person on the other end to have a car waiting, suggesting he had arranged help for his escape.

Daleyza’s family is pleading for her safe return. Her maternal grandmother appeared in tears at a press conference, saying, “She is just a baby. She doesn’t understand what’s happening. Please bring my granddaughter home.”

Child psychologists have warned that the trauma Daleyza is experiencing — losing her mother violently and being taken from everything familiar — could have lifelong effects. Finding her quickly and providing immediate psychological support is critical.

Community in Mourning and Outrage

The apartment complex where the tragedy occurred has become a place of mourning. Flowers, candles, and stuffed animals now line the entrance to the building. Neighbors who once exchanged casual greetings now share stories of Marisol’s kindness and their guilt for not intervening sooner.

“I wish I had called the police during one of those loud arguments,” one resident said. “Maybe things would have been different. That little girl didn’t deserve any of this.”

Women’s advocacy groups have used the case to highlight the dangers women face when trying to leave abusive relationships. They point out that domestic violence homicides often occur when victims attempt to separate. Marisol’s death, they argue, is a preventable tragedy that underscores the need for better support systems and faster intervention.

The International Manhunt Continues

Ruben Fregosojuarez remains at large. He faces charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and child endangerment. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life behind bars. Authorities warn that he should be considered armed and dangerous.

The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations are assisting in the cross-border effort. Digital forensics teams are analyzing Ruben’s phone records, financial transactions, and social media activity for clues about his possible location.

Meanwhile, Daleyza’s face continues to appear on Amber Alerts across both countries. Her stuffed unicorn, seen in the elevator with her, has become a symbol of the innocent life caught in the middle of adult violence.

A Tragic Reminder of Hidden Domestic Abuse

This case has forced many in the community to confront uncomfortable questions. How many other families are suffering in silence behind closed doors? How can neighbors balance respect for privacy with the duty to protect vulnerable children?

Elena Ramirez says she will never forget the sound of Daleyza’s voice asking for her mother. “That little girl trusted her father,” she said. “She had no idea what had happened. I keep thinking about her and hoping she’s safe.”

As the search continues, Marisol’s family holds onto hope that Daleyza will be found unharmed. They want justice for Marisol and the chance to raise her daughter in a loving, safe environment.

The elevator that carried a father and daughter toward an uncertain future now stands as a silent witness to a terrible crime. Its doors continue to open and close for other residents, but for those who knew Marisol and Daleyza, nothing in the building feels the same.

In the quiet moments between floors, some say they can still hear the faint echo of a child’s voice asking the question no one can yet answer: “Mommy, when are you coming?”

Until Daleyza is found and Ruben is brought to justice, that question — and the pain behind it — will continue to haunt everyone touched by this tragedy.