Jonathan Romero pleaded guilty in 2026 to murdering David Manriquez in 2008 after a 16-year manhunt.

Jonathan Romero, 35, pleaded guilty in February 2026 to first-degree murder in the 2008 killing of 18-year-old David Manriquez, the boyfriend of Romero’s ex-girlfriend. The crime occurred on July 18, 2008, when Romero, then 19, broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home and shot Manriquez multiple times, including in the back of the head, after finding him hiding in a closet. A blood trail led from the house several blocks away. Romero evaded capture for nearly 16 years before being apprehended in Mexico in May 2025. Initially pleading not guilty, he accepted a plea deal. Manriquez’s father said the family’s goal is for Romero to be held accountable. The case highlighted the lasting impact of unresolved violent crimes.