Stanislaus County Man Charged with Murder after Missing Woman’s Remains Found on Property
A Stanislaus County man initially wanted in connection to an assault case is now being charged with the murder of a missing woman whose remains were reportedly found on his property.
According to a press release by the Sheriff’s Office, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department SWAT team executed an arrest warrant on November 18, 2022, at a home located in the Airport District in Modesto, leading to a gruesome discovery.
While investigating the home of 41-year-old Albert Gonzalez, who was wanted for assault with a deadly weapon, law enforcement officials were alerted to the possibility of human remains on the property. A search warrant was immediately requested and granted.
A team of anthropologists from California State University, Chico, assisted with the collection and examination of the partial human remains discovered at the property. The remains were later identified as 25-year-old Stephanie Fagundes of Stockton, who had been reported missing in October of 2022. The autopsy report revealed that Fagundes’ remains had been dismembered and burned.
Investigators so far have not released any details regarding the exact nature of Fagundes’ death.
As a result of this discovery, Albert Gonzalez was charged with murder in connection to the homicide of Stephanie Fagundes. The Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Unit is continuing its investigation into the case and is urging members of the public to come forward with any information that may be helpful to the investigation.
Detective Wyatt is leading the investigation and can be contacted at 209-525-7091 for those with information to share. Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous can contact Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers at 1-866-602-7463.
According to the California Department of Justice, of the 37,806 people reported missing in the state in 2022, 12,898 of those people eventually returned on their own, and 16,107 were later located by law enforcement. Over 1,600 were later arrested, and just over 1,500 had left of their own free well. Other factors included minor emancipation, withdrawn reports, reports cancelled for reasons not listed in the statistics, or reports cancelled for reasons unknown.
958 were ultimately found deceased, making such an outcome quite rare.
