Man sentenced to life without parole for murdering lover’s spouse in Westminster.
A Shocking Crime of Love and Greed
In a chilling case that unfolded in Westminster, a 46-year-old man named Robert Rafael Saavedra Gallardo has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. His crime? Killing his lover’s husband, Adrian Zapata, in a bid to be together and profit from the victim’s assets.
Gallardo was convicted of murder with a special-circumstance allegation of murder for financial gain. The jury deliberated for a mere 90 minutes before reaching their verdict, highlighting the overwhelming evidence against him.
His co-defendant, Olga Vasquez-Collazos, who had been convicted two years prior, received a sentence of 25 years to life in prison. However, the jury in her case did not find the special circumstance allegation to be true.
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The murder of Adrian Zapata took place on May 22, 2014, when his lifeless body was discovered in his apartment on Brookhurst Street. During the sentencing hearing, Zapata’s son, Renzo, described Gallardo as a “monster who had no regard for a human life.” He expressed his deep pain and the absence his father’s death had left in their lives.
Kathy Dierking, Zapata’s sister, also addressed the court, emphasizing the profound impact her brother had on their family. She expressed gratitude that justice had prevailed and hoped that her brother could finally rest in peace.
The twisted love affair between Gallardo and Vasquez-Collazos began in Peru. However, Vasquez-Collazos eventually married Zapata, whom she had met while he was vacationing in her home country. Zapata, a US citizen, married Vasquez-Collazos on September 10, 2011, after which he arranged for her and her two sons to move to Westminster.
Unbeknownst to Zapata, Vasquez-Collazos continued her affair with Gallardo, who flew to the United States when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2014. He stayed in a hotel near the medical center where Vasquez-Collazos was receiving treatment.
According to Senior Deputy District Attorney Janine Madera, the only obstacle standing in the way of their love was Adrian Zapata himself. Zapata loved his wife deeply, but it was an unrequited love. Vasquez-Collazos was disappointed by Zapata’s lack of wealth, leading him to work longer hours and make extravagant purchases to please her.
The situation took a dark turn when Zapata grew suspicious of his wife’s fidelity. He discovered a secret Facebook page containing incriminating photos of Vasquez-Collazos with Gallardo. Confronting Gallardo over the affair, Zapata unwittingly sealed his own fate.
Madera argued that the defendants conspired to murder Zapata to be together, with the added incentive of gaining his assets, including a condo in Peru, an insurance policy, and money from a 401K fund.
The trial presented compelling evidence, much of which revolved around the tracking of secret cell phones used by the defendants. Additionally, Vasquez-Collazos meticulously crafted an alibi, visiting the medical center and a grocery store on the day of the murder before returning home to discover Zapata’s lifeless body.
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