Snapped: Women Who Murder

Episode: Cheryl Lucero

Host: Oxygen
Date: August 17, 2025

Main Theme

This episode of Snapped delves into the chilling murder of Rick “Derby King” Roberts in Sonora, California, and unravels the obsessive fixation that led to his tragic death. The story unfolds as investigators piece together Rick’s life, his community ties, the hidden troubles in his marriage, and ultimately, a stalker's descent from unrequited love to lethal obsession.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Murder Scene and Initial Shock (01:17–05:27)

• Rick Roberts, a beloved local known for his demolition derby prowess, is found dead by friends and married couple Buddy and Casey Thompson.
• Casey describes the moment:

  “He definitely had lost the color and he wasn't moving. And I observed a single gunshot wound to the chest.” (04:15 – F)

• Investigators rule out robbery early, as Rick’s wallet (with cash) and phone are still present.

Memorable Quote

"Ricky was well respected and well loved, the kind of person that everybody got along with. So this was just absolutely like mind blowing." (05:27 – F)

2. Rick Roberts’ Community and Personal Life (05:51–12:22)

• Rick grew up as a “mama’s boy” in a close but strict family, adored for his warmth.
• He built a reputation as the “Derby King,” and his love for demolition derby became a community focal point.
• Rick and his wife married atop a derby car, later adopting a son, anchoring themselves further in Sonora’s community and church.

Notable Moments

• “They got married up on top of the derby car. It was adorable, unique, absolutely unique, and it was great.” (08:54 – F)

3. The Investigation Begins: Suspects, Motives, and Odd Clues (12:22–17:54)

• Initial questions focus on possible motives within Rick’s personal circle.
• Marital troubles and rumors of infidelity emerge:

  "He was entertaining other relationships." (12:05 – F)

• Rick’s wife appears distraught but provides an alibi—she was home with their young son at the time of the murder (17:13).

4. Obsession Surfaces: The Stalker Named Cheryl Lucero (17:54–29:08)

• A strange photograph in Rick’s wallet, labeled “my husband Rick and his son” in handwriting neither Rick nor his wife recognizes, points investigators in a new direction.
• Rick’s wife recalls being followed by a mysterious woman at a grocery store (22:10–22:30).
• Church friends recount Cheryl Lucero’s fixation on Rick:

  “Her bedroom was a shrine. A lot of pictures of him and his derby car. Ultimately, we were dealing with Fatal Attraction.” (02:20 – C) “Cheryl's response was like, oh, no. God has meant for us to be together.” (25:16 – C)

• Cheryl’s stalking escalated to attending Rick’s church, moving to his town, and monitoring his routines.

5. The Forensics Link: The Firearm and Footprints (29:08–31:24)

• Investigators learn Cheryl legally purchased a 9mm gun matching the caliber used in the murder.
• Cheryl repeatedly stalls on surrendering the firearm for testing.
• Distinctive boot prints at the scene match Cheryl’s shoes, supporting the physical evidence against her.

Memorable Quote

“Now it's this whole cat and mouse game, and so they have to keep tracking her back to work. It's like, hey, if you're innocent, why are you playing this?” (31:13 – C)

6. Interrogation and Shifting Stories (34:21–39:21)

• Under pressure, Cheryl offers contradictory confessions:
  • First, she claims the shooting was an accident while confronting Rick to “leave her alone.” (36:18)
  • She then tries to shift blame to her ex-boyfriend, Chris Tinkham, saying she gave him the gun to “scare” Rick. Chris’ alibi is airtight.
• A storage unit rented by Cheryl yields a “shrine” to Rick, including homemade wedding invitations.

Notable Moments

“She had created wedding invitations announcing her marriage to Rick Roberts.” (39:07 – C)

7. Trial and Verdict (40:39–44:39)

• Forensics confirm the shell casing at the scene matches Cheryl’s gun.
• At trial, prosecutors build a narrative of escalating obsession and unrequited love that culminated in murder.
• Cheryl attempts to blame Rick’s landlord, Joe Iniguez, but alibis and physical evidence make her claims implausible.
• On September 4, 2015, Cheryl Lucero is found guilty of first-degree murder and using a firearm in commission of a crime. Her sentence: 50 years to life.

Notable Quotes

“We were dealing with what ultimately was a fatal attraction.” (41:13 – C)
“She shoots not once, but she shoots him twice. She then leaves him on the floor and walks out. She gets rid of the gun. Where it is to this date, nobody knows except her.” (42:21 – A)
“Let her bathe in her mistakes. Let her live in her own misery. She is sitting where she's supposed to be sitting.” (44:46 – E)

8. Resolution and Aftermath (45:00–45:32)

• With Cheryl imprisoned, Rick’s family and community mourn his loss but remember his kindness and vibrant spirit.

  “He was just a big, loving man and his whole purpose was to put a smile on your face. We don't remember him as how he got murdered. He'll always be remembered as the Derby King.” (45:07 – E)

• Cheryl Lucero is incarcerated at the Central California Women's Facility, eligible for parole in 2034.

Important Timestamps

• Discovery of Rick’s Body: 01:17–04:46
• Investigators Rule Out Robbery: 05:08–05:51
• Discussion of Rick’s Obsession/Stalker: 17:54–29:08
• Linking Cheryl’s Gun to the Crime: 29:08–34:21
• Confession and Interrogation: 34:21–39:21
• Trial and Conviction: 40:39–44:39
• Family Reflection: 45:00–45:32

Notable Quotes & Speaker Attribution

• “Her bedroom was a shrine. A lot of pictures of him and his derby car. Ultimately, we were dealing with Fatal Attraction.”
  (02:20 – C)

• “Cheryl's response was like, oh, no. God has meant for us to be together. So it was clear that Cheryl wasn't there because she was a member of the faith. It was clear that Cheryl was there because she wanted to be anywhere Rick was...”
  (25:16 – C)

• "We were dealing with what ultimately was a fatal attraction."
  (41:13 – C)

• “She shoots not once, but she shoots him twice. She then leaves him on the floor and walks out. She gets rid of the gun. Where it is to this date, nobody knows except her.”
  (42:21 – A)

• “Let her bathe in her mistakes. Let her live in her own misery. She is sitting where she's supposed to be sitting.”
  (44:46 – E)

• “He was just a big, loving man and his whole purpose was to put a smile on your face. We don't remember him as how he got murdered. He'll always be remembered as the Derby King.”
  (45:07 – E)

Summary

Snapped: Cheryl Lucero paints a harrowing portrait of dangerous obsession evolving in the shadows of small-town life. Through interviews, community perspectives, and detailed forensics, the episode exposes how love turned to fixation became a motive for murder. The chilling narrative is a powerful reminder of how the impact of one person’s obsession can ripple through an entire community, forever altering the lives it touches.