A California man has been charged with murdering his mother after investigators say she was shot outside a police station and later found dead inside her own car in a church parking lot.
Theresa Jones, 61, was discovered in the passenger seat of her vehicle outside a church in Fullerton on July 11, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Her 23-year-old son, Emmanuel Wesley, has been arrested and charged in connection with the killing, which prosecutors allege occurred one week earlier on July 4.
Jones was reported missing on July 7 after she failed to pick up her grandchild and stopped responding to repeated phone calls.
Four days later, authorities found her body inside her car.
Investigators allege Jones drove to the Fullerton Police Department on the afternoon of July 4 and was shot outside the building.
Surveillance footage reportedly showed Jones arriving at the police station before she was seen slumped over behind the steering wheel.
A man whom authorities identified as Wesley allegedly got out of the vehicle, pushed Jones’ body from the driver’s seat into the passenger seat and then drove away with her still inside the car.
Her vehicle was eventually left in the parking lot of a Fullerton church, where her body was discovered on July 11.
Investigators determined that Jones had suffered two gunshot wounds to her back. Authorities have not publicly revealed a possible motive for the killing.
Loved ones described Jones as a devoted mother and grandmother with an unforgettable personality.
“She was smart, funny, and possessed a vibrant, charismatic energy,” relatives wrote in a GoFundMe created to help her family.
The fundraiser said Jones brought so much laughter and happiness to those around her that loved ones affectionately nicknamed her “Cardi B.”
Wesley has been charged with one felony count of murder and a felony firearm enhancement for allegedly discharging a weapon and causing great bodily injury or death.
He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
