Fundraiser held for 24-year-old woman found dead inside Anaheim apartment
Loved ones of Mirelle Mateus, the 24-year-old La Palma woman found dead inside of an Anaheim apartment on March 17, gathered to raise funds and awareness for victims of domestic violence in her honor on Saturday.
Anaheim Police Department officers were dispatched to the apartment, located in the 1900 block of S. Union Street after receiving reports of "suspicious circumstances." Upon arrival, they found Mateus deceased inside.
After investigation, detectives determined that Mateus's ex-boyfriend, Aaron Romo, 36, to be a suspect in the killing.
"Homicide detectives responded to the scene and determined that Mateus was murdered and identified Romo as the suspect," a statement from APD said. "Later that day, Romo was arrested in Riverside County."
He was booked for murder and is being held without bail.
"Detectives believe Romo has assaulted other women in the past and are asking anyone with previous contact with Romo to come forward," the statement said.
As the investigation continues, family members of Mateus are seeking assistance in covering funeral charges and donation to other victims of domestic abuse.
"This man has had a long history of doing this. He should have been in jail a long time ago," Caceros said. "My sister could have still been here today. It's just so unfortunate my sister had to pay that price, but my sister's death is not gonna be in vain."
The family gathered for a fundraiser on Saturday at the All Women's Private Gym in Fullerton, where Mateus often worked out.
Mateus's mother drove to the Anaheim apartment she used to share with Romo, where she found her daughter in the bathroom.
"She was my angel," Alice Mateus said through tears. "He's evil. I told her all the time."
Little did the family, or Mateus know, that Romo was charged in December with felony domestic violence and battery charges. He was out on bond at the time of the killing.
"I know she will be the last person he ever does this to," Caceros said. "We can make him rot in jail. I know he will never see the light of day again and that's what he deserves."
The GoFundMe can be found by searching for the keywords: "Our beautiful beloved Mirelle."
