Bio

William Jesus Marrufo was born in 1971. He grew up in Fountain Valley, California. William had three sisters and a close-knit family. His father, Wilbert Marrufo, often expressed concern about William's mental health. The family sought help for him over the years, as they noticed he struggled with his mental well-being.

William developed a passion for music and became known as the drummer for the band Ozomatli, which played a mix of Latin music and rock. He was a part of the music scene and enjoyed performing with his bandmates.

As he grew older, William faced challenges related to his mental health. His family supported him, but he experienced fluctuations in his condition. His struggles included episodes of extreme mood swings, which suggested he might have bipolar disorder.

Despite his talents and interests, William's life took a tragic turn. Concerns about his mental state intensified over time, leading to significant events that would change everything for his family.

Murder Story

On January 5, 2005, William Jesus Marrufo killed his mother, Teresa Marrufo, in Fountain Valley, California. The murder occurred in the driveway of their home. William used two meat cleavers and a boning knife to attack her. He beat her head against the pavement and then went inside to get the weapons before returning to stab and slash her.

After the murder, William was arrested the same day. He told detectives that he believed his mother was possessed by Satan and that he was trying to save her soul. William faced trial for the crime. In December 2006, he was found guilty of first degree murder and faced a sentence that could give him 26 years to life in prison.

During the trial, his defense claimed that he was mentally ill. They argued that he was bipolar and that he had been hallucinating at the time of the attack. On December 7, 2006, a jury decided that William was not guilty by reason of insanity. As a result, he was committed to a state mental hospital for treatment instead of prison. He would remain there until a jury determined his sanity had been restored.