A beloved California woman who was battling stage 4 breast cancer was found dead inside a suitcase in her Berkeley apartment, according to police and court documents.
Vanessa Sanchez, 37, was discovered on May 30 by her property manager inside her home, according to court records obtained by NBC Bay Area.
Her body reportedly showed signs of trauma and had been placed inside a trash bag before being stuffed into a piece of luggage, the documents said.
Her boyfriend, 28-year-old Damarcus Jones, was arrested on June 2 in connection with her death.
Investigators said surveillance footage showed Sanchez entering her apartment with Jones on May 24, but she was never seen leaving.
Two days later, Jones was allegedly seen on camera rolling a large suitcase into her apartment. Cellphone records also placed him at the apartment for several days after Sanchez was last seen alive, according to the records.
Jones later confessed to killing Sanchez, investigators said. According to the warrant, he allegedly told police he tried to cover the smell of her decomposing body by opening windows and using an air purifier.
Sanchez was remembered by her loved ones as someone who “loved fiercely and wholeheartedly,” according to her obituary.
She was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2023 and “fought hard, with bravery and grace,” her family wrote.
“She had an extraordinary gift for making people feel seen, valued, loved and deeply cared for,” her loved ones said.
“Those fortunate enough to be loved by her knew the warmth, kindness and unwavering support she gave so freely,” they added.
Sanchez had been open about her cancer battle on social media and had shared a GoFundMe page created by her aunt to help cover medical bills and everyday expenses.
Her funeral is scheduled for June 14, according to her obituary.
Jones was arrested without incident after two of Sanchez’s friends identified him as her boyfriend in photo lineups, according to the report.
Court documents said Sanchez suffered multiple injuries, including bruising under her upper lip, hemorrhaging on her right wrist and right side of her body, blood around her eyes and damage to her neck.
Her official cause of death has not yet been determined, but police said it appeared she had been killed in an assault, according to the Berkeley Scanner.
Jones is being held without bail on a murder charge and other counts. His next court date has not yet been listed.
Court records obtained by the Berkeley Scanner also showed that Jones was convicted in November of felony assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury and was placed on probation.
He should get the same treatment he gave het