In a devastating domestic tragedy that has shocked the quiet neighborhood of Lakewood, California, 48-year-old Roxana Rodriguez spent her final moments desperately begging her husband not to harm their teenage daughter. But her pleas went unanswered.

On the morning of January 15, 2026, deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to a chaotic scene at a home on the 5800 block of Lorelei Avenue. What they discovered was a scene of unimaginable horror: Roxana Rodriguez lay in one bedroom with fatal gunshot wounds to her torso, while her 17-year-old daughter, Sienna Alfaro, was found in another room, also shot dead. The perpetrator, 52-year-old Hector Lionel Alfaro—Roxana’s husband and Sienna’s father—had taken his own life in the den after the killings.

Authorities confirmed the incident as a murder-suicide. Two firearms were recovered from the home. The couple’s 19-year-old daughter, who was asleep when the gunfire erupted, narrowly escaped death. She awoke to the sounds of chaos, and Alfaro fired multiple shots at her—but missed. In a final act, he turned the weapon on himself right in front of her. The young woman, the sole survivor, immediately called 911, her voice trembling as she reported the nightmare unfolding in her own home.

Friends and family described Roxana as a devoted mother who always put her children first. Sienna, a bright and gentle 17-year-old, was remembered for her warm smile and kind spirit that lit up any room. Neighbors spoke of a seemingly ordinary family, but whispers of tension had surfaced in recent months. Reports suggest Roxana had endured abuse from her husband as early as six months prior and had considered leaving the marriage. Tragically, advice from loved ones to “stay for the kids” may have kept her in a dangerous situation.

The surviving daughter has since spoken publicly, paying tribute to her mother and sister while grappling with the loss and the trauma of witnessing her father’s final moments. A candlelight vigil was quickly organized in Lakewood, where community members gathered with tears and candles to honor Roxana and Sienna. A GoFundMe campaign was launched to support the grieving family, especially the eldest daughter now facing life without her mom and little sister.

This heartbreaking case highlights the devastating impact of domestic violence, where warnings can go unheeded until it’s too late. Roxana’s last desperate plea—”Please don’t hurt our daughter”—still echoes as a chilling reminder of a mother’s love in the face of unimaginable terror. As investigations continue, the community mourns not just two lives lost, but the shattering of an entire family in an instant.