Snapped: Women Who Murder – BONUS: Monica Diaz and Michael Naranjo (Snapped: Killer Couples)
Podcast: Snapped: Women Who Murder
Host: Oxygen
Episode Date: September 10, 2025
Episode Overview
This special bonus episode from Oxygen's "Killer Couples" features the harrowing story of the Flores family murders in Pico Rivera, California. The case centers on Monica Diaz, a teenage girl, and her boyfriend, Michael Naranjo, who conspired to slaughter Monica’s own family in 2000. Through survivor testimony, law enforcement accounts, and forensic evidence, the episode meticulously traces the investigation, arrest, and trial–unraveling a case of forbidden love turned deadly.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Flores Family Massacre
[02:03 – 07:46]
- In the early hours of July 21, 2000, the Flores family was attacked in their home, resulting in four deaths: Richard Flores Sr. and his children, Richard Jr., Matthew, and Sylvia Jr.
- Surviving family members Esperanza Flores, Monica Diaz, and Laura Retta described the morning’s chaos, disbelief, and trauma.
- Quote: “It was a whole family massacred. It was just gut-wrenching.” – Prosecutor [02:43]
- Sylvia Flores, the family matriarch, survived despite life-threatening injuries.
2. Family Dynamics & Background
[07:46 – 09:52]
- The Floreses were a close-knit family; besides their biological children, Sylvia and Richard raised Monica Diaz and Laura Retta, the daughters of Sylvia’s late sister.
- Quote: “If you were there, you were part of the family. You were gonna get taken care of.” – Esperanza Flores [08:34]
3. The Night of the Murders
[10:32 – 13:40]
- Investigators worked with the surviving sisters to reconstruct the timeline of the attack.
- Monica said she hid in the bathroom after hearing suspicious noises, while Esperanza described witnessing her father bleeding from stab wounds.
- Panic and confusion unfolded as the sisters discovered their siblings and called 911.
4. Crime Scene Evidence
[14:10 – 19:04]
- The presence of pre-cut duct tape, a military-style flashlight with a red lens, and multiple weapons suggested a planned, tactical attack rather than a random home invasion.
- Quote: “The presence of duct tape made me go, okay. This is not a random event. This is a planned event.” – Lead Investigator [14:16]
- The rear door was found unlocked, raising suspicion that someone from inside the home allowed the killer(s) entry.
5. Forensic Links & The Investigation Focuses
[22:13 – 30:07]
- Survivors were questioned; attention turned to Monica’s boyfriend, Michael Naranjo, after Monica identified a knife at the scene as belonging to him.
- Both Monica and Michael had fingerprints on the duct tape used in the attack, directly tying them to the scene.
- Michael admitted conflict with Monica’s parents and was observed with a suspicious fresh cut.
6. Relationship Between Monica & Michael
[24:33 – 27:29]
- Monica and Michael, both JROTC students, grew increasingly secretive and withdrawn as their relationship intensified.
- Monica, academically focused and less athletic than her siblings, felt alienated and found validation in Michael’s devotion.
- Family disapproval escalated tension.
7. Arrest and Interrogations
[30:07 – 34:12]
- Forensic results led to the arrest of both Monica and Michael.
- Michael said little during arrest; Monica attempted to minimize her involvement.
- Quote: “I was in disbelief. I couldn't believe a family member could do something like that.” – Esperanza Flores [31:09]
- Search of Michael’s room revealed books about torture and killing, a checklist for the crime, and matching towels to those found at the scene.
8. Motivations and Planning
[35:42 – 37:43]
- Letters between Monica and Michael revealed fantasies about mass murder and professional killing.
- Police concluded Monica planned the attack, pre-cutting tape and unlocking the door for Michael.
- Quote: “These are just two evil people who carried out something because they wanted to be together.” – Lead Investigator [37:43]
9. Survivor Sylvia Flores’s Testimony
[38:11 – 42:29]
- Sylvia recollected being stabbed, witnessing her husband’s fight for his life, and Monica applying pressure—then strangling her in an attempt to finish the job.
- Quote: “To this day, I know she wanted to kill me, too. She was choking me ... I know I raised a great woman. I don't know that murderer Monica, who that is, I have no idea.” – Sylvia Flores [41:19, 44:57]
10. Legal Proceedings and Aftermath
[42:29 – 46:38]
- Monica Diaz and Michael Naranjo were tried as adults, charged with four counts of first-degree murder and attempted murder.
- Michael pled guilty and received five consecutive life sentences; Monica’s trial followed, where Michael attempted to take sole blame, but she was convicted and also sentenced to life.
- Appeals led to Monica’s resentencing (four consecutive 25-to-life terms); her parole was denied in 2022; Michael’s next parole hearing is in 2027.
Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
-
On the shock of the crime:
“It was a whole family massacred. It was just gut-wrenching.” – Prosecutor [02:43] -
On the family dynamic:
“If you were there, you were part of the family. You were gonna get taken care of.” – Esperanza Flores [08:34] -
On evidence pointing to premeditation:
“The presence of duct tape made me go, okay. This is not a random event. This is a planned event.” – Lead Investigator [14:16] -
On Monica and Michael’s dark fantasies:
“Monica talked about I want to see blood. She's talking about killing mass murders and says, ‘I want to see the blood on their faces. I want to be a mass murderer. The best job is to kill people professionally.’” – Lead Investigator [35:56] -
On surviving the attack:
“To this day, I know she wanted to kill me, too. She was choking me ... I know I raised a great woman. I don't know that murderer Monica, who that is, I have no idea.” – Sylvia Flores [41:19, 44:57] -
On justice and loss:
“I do not think justice was done. In all honesty, I wish them the same pain that my family felt in their last moments.” – Esperanza Flores [45:49]
Important Timestamps
- [02:03 – 07:46]: The Flores family attack and aftermath
- [14:16, 19:04]: Details of tactical planning and evidence
- [22:13, 24:33]: Interview focus turns to Monica and Michael
- [29:05 – 30:07]: Forensic breakthroughs and identification
- [35:56]: Revelatory letters and planning details
- [38:19 – 42:29]: Sylvia Flores recounts her experience and recovery
- [42:42 – 44:57]: Trials, convictions, and emotional courtroom moments
- [46:38]: Updates on the sentences and parole
Conclusion
This episode of Snapped delivers a detailed, emotionally powerful account of a devastating family tragedy that exposed the calculated brutality hidden behind teenage romance. The storytelling weaves firsthand survivor experiences with investigative insight, making it a chilling, unforgettable journey through love, manipulation, and murder.