In a case that shook the community, a 46-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the heinous murder of his lover’s husband. The motive behind this brutal act was the couple’s desire to be together and benefit from the victim’s financial assets.
Robert Rafael Saavedra Gallardo, the perpetrator, was found guilty on July 25 of murder with a special-circumstance allegation of murder for financial gain. His accomplice in this horrific crime, Olga Vasquez-Collazos, was convicted two years ago and is currently serving a 25-year to life sentence. Interestingly, the jury in her case did not find her guilty of the special-circumstance allegation.
The victim, 58-year-old Adrian Zapata, was discovered lifeless in his Westminster apartment on May 22, 2014. During the recent sentencing, Zapata’s son, Renzo, passionately labeled Gallardo as a “monster” who displayed a complete disregard for human life. Renzo further expressed his devastation at the loss of his father, claiming that Gallardo slaughtered him in the most cowardly manner imaginable, with no remorse whatsoever.
Zapata’s sister, Kathy Dierking, echoed the sentiments of the grieving family as she addressed the court. She emphasized the profound impact her brother had made on their lives and lamented that their existence would never be the same without him. She concluded her statement by expressing gratitude that justice had been served, allowing her beloved brother to finally find peace.
The tragic sequence of events began when Gallardo and Vasquez-Collazos met in Peru and became romantically involved. However, Vasquez-Collazos eventually married Zapata, whom she had met while he was vacationing in her home country. As Senior Deputy District Attorney Janine Madera explained, Zapata, who had immigrated to the United States and obtained citizenship, married Vasquez-Collazos on September 10, 2011. He then arranged for her and her two sons to join him in Westminster.
In 2014, Vasquez-Collazos was diagnosed with cervical cancer and underwent surgery at the end of April. This health crisis prompted Gallardo to fly to the United States and book a hotel near the medical center where Vasquez-Collazos was being treated.
Madera, during her opening statement at the trial, referred to Adrian Zapata as the obstacle standing between the two lovers. She highlighted that while Zapata deeply loved his wife, the same could not be said for Vasquez-Collazos. Gallardo was accused of meticulously orchestrating the crime scene to resemble a robbery, scattering various items around. However, it was evident that the motive was not theft, as valuable possessions like a television were left untouched.
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