Podcast Summary: "MURDERED: Esmeralda Gonzalez"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Clues with Morgan Absher and Kaelyn Moore
• Episode: MURDERED: Esmeralda Gonzalez
• Host/Author: Crime House
• Release Date: July 23, 2025
• Description: Hosts Morgan Absher and Kaelyn Moore delve into the mysterious and tragic case of Esmeralda Gonzalez, uncovering the intricate clues that led to the resolution of her disappearance and murder.

1. Introduction to the Case

In this gripping episode of Clues, hosts Morgan Absher and Kayla Moore navigate the perplexing disappearance and subsequent murder of Esmeralda Gonzalez, a vibrant social media model from Mexico who vanished in Las Vegas in May 2019. The hosts emphasize the importance of small clues in unraveling complex crime cases, setting the stage for a detailed exploration of the investigation that ultimately brought justice to Esmeralda's family.

2. Background of Esmeralda Gonzalez

Esmeralda Gonzalez was born on May 26, 1995, in Michoacan, Mexico, and moved to Las Vegas with her family before turning five. She was widely recognized for her charisma, intelligence, and beauty, balancing her social media presence with academic pursuits. Esmeralda was an active member of her community, participating in school activities like the chess club and beauty pageants, and volunteering with the Clark County Law Foundation's Trial by Peers program.

Key Details:

• Age at Disappearance: 24 years old
• Career: Social media model, real estate investor, humanitarian
• Social Media Following: Over 300,000 Instagram followers by 2018

3. The Disappearance and Initial Investigation

On May 31, 2019, Esmeralda failed to return home, prompting her older brother, Juan, to check on her. Juan found her house in disarray with lights on, her purse intact, and no sign of Esmeralda. Concerned due to her recent struggles with mental health—she had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder but had ceased taking her medication—Juan promptly filed a missing persons report.

Notable Quote:

• "Esmeralda just had a really good heart. She was less than 5 years old when her parents moved here, and her two brothers, they all came over to Las Vegas." — Kayla Moore [09:23]

4. Early Clues and Suspect: Luis Merrillo

Initial investigations focused on Esmeralda's boyfriend, Luis Merrillo, who became a person of interest due to a recent altercation with Esmeralda. On the night before her disappearance, Luis had a heated argument with her, during which he took her car keys and cell phone, claiming it was for her safety due to her apparent emotional distress.

Notable Quote:

• "He admits that he took her car keys and her cell phone. So it did get pretty heated." — Kayla Moore [14:22]

Despite these red flags, further investigation revealed discrepancies in Luis's story. Home security footage showed Luis leaving Esmeralda's house without any suspicious activity, and there were no signs of forced entry or theft, weakening the initial suspicion.

5. Breakthrough with Brent Smith and the U Haul Truck

Two months into the investigation, an anonymous tip provided critical information linking Christopher Prestopino and Cassandra Garrett to Esmeralda's disappearance. Detective Tate Sanborn, handling the case, discovered that Christopher had rented a 15-foot U Haul truck shortly after Esmeralda went missing. This truck rental connected Christopher to Esmeralda's neighborhood, as he lived just three blocks away from her residence.

Notable Quote:

• "He realizes that Christopher and Esmeralda are actually neighbors. Christopher actually lives just three blocks away from Esmeralda's house." — Kayla Moore [29:50]

6. Additional Clues: Tricia Ott and Home Depot Footage

Further investigation revealed surveillance footage from Home Depot showing Christopher purchasing 300 pounds of Quikrete concrete mix and other materials essential for constructing a concrete box. Additionally, a witness named Tricia Ott provided a statement about emergency behavior at Christopher's house, including building a massive concrete structure intended to conceal evidence.

Notable Quote:

• "She saw this massive box that looked like a wood and concrete crate, about the size of a freezer chest." — Kayla Moore [27:39]

7. Persisting Towards Evidence and the Concrete Box

Detective Sanborn, leveraging forensic techniques and persistent interrogation, focused on extracting confessions by applying pressure on Christopher's accomplices. Through strategic interactions, Sanborn successfully persuaded Cassandra Garrett to cooperate, leading them to a concrete box in the Nevada desert where Esmeralda's remains were eventually discovered.

Notable Quote:

• "Esmeralda was found in a concrete box, and she is almost unrecognizable. A lot of time had gone by." — Kayla Moore [42:55]

8. Arrests and Legal Proceedings

With the discovery of Esmeralda's remains and gathering of sufficient evidence, police arrested Christopher Prestopino and Cassandra Garrett. Christopher initially resisted charges but eventually entered an Alford plea, acknowledging the strength of the prosecution's case without admitting guilt. Cassandra Garrett accepted a plea deal for voluntary manslaughter, relinquishing some charges in exchange for reduced sentencing.

Notable Quote:

• "He got 25 years in prison with the possibility of parole in just 10 years." — Kayla Moore [50:32]

9. Justice and Ongoing Questions

Despite the arrests, several questions remain unanswered, particularly regarding the exact sequence of events leading to Esmeralda's murder. The investigation highlighted systemic issues, such as the vulnerability of women of color and those with mental health struggles in high-risk environments like Las Vegas.

Notable Quote:

• "She's a woman of color. She was having a really bad mental health issue. She's walking around in, like, heels and lingerie, not really sure of her surroundings. On the street, I could see how, like, a predator would see her and maybe think that she was an easy target." — Kayla Moore [52:27]

10. Conclusion and Impact

The case of Esmeralda Gonzalez serves as a stark reminder of the importance of diligent investigative work and the role of community support in solving complex crimes. Detective Sanborn's unwavering commitment ultimately brought closure to Esmeralda's family, highlighting both the triumphs and tragic losses inherent in true crime investigations.

Final Remarks:

• "This is just heartbreaking to hear, it's really, really heartbreaking." — Detective Sanborn [43:42]
• "Justice for Esmeralda Gonzalez is just within reach." — Kayla Moore [01:14]

The episode also concludes with a heartfelt message emphasizing the availability of mental health resources, underscoring the broader societal implications highlighted by Esmeralda's case.

Resource Mentioned:

• National Hotline for Mental Health Crises and Suicide Prevention: 988

This summary encapsulates the key points, discussions, and revelations from the "MURDERED: Esmeralda Gonzalez" episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those unfamiliar with the case.