Three suspects in kidnapping, slaying of Fontana father due in court

The three suspects arrested in connection with the killing of a Fontana father are expected in court Thursday for arraignment, said officials at the San Bernardino County district attorney’s office in Fontana.

Alejandro Padilla, 40, was allegedly kidnapped and killed by his daughter’s ex-boyfriend, Edward Anthony Morales, and Morales’ friend, Richard Alexander Gonzelez. The two 18-year-olds were arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, robbery and murder, according to San Bernardino County online jail records.

The pair are being held at West Valley Detention Center without bail.

Morales’ mother, Alma Casada, 37, was arrested on suspicion of serving as an accessory to murder after the fact, according to the Fontana Police Department.

The department began investigating the case on July 26, when they received a report about 5 a.m. of yelling in the 6800 block of Beechcraft Avenue, according to a Police Department news release. The caller believed the person needed help.

A broken bat and blood were found at the crime scene. Authorities discovered Padilla’s body later that evening in his black Nissan Versa, which had been set on fire and left in a park in Rialto, said Sgt. Doug Imhof.

Morales, who had not been dating Padilla’s daughter for at least a few months, was familiar with the family’s routine, Imhof said.

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