Nephew charged in fatal stabbing of Fresno plant nursery owner

Maria Salud Banda Wash, 64, was killed by her nephew Nicolas Arriaga, 29, at her family's nursery on Easter Sunday.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 1:18am

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An extreme close-up of a machete blade, its sharp edges and metallic sheen dramatically illuminated by a harsh flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the violent crime that took place.The brutal murder weapon used in a deadly family dispute exposes the grim realities of workplace violence.Fresno Today

A 64-year-old woman who owned a plant nursery in Fresno County, California was fatally stabbed by her 29-year-old nephew on Easter Sunday. The nephew, Nicolas Arriaga, also stabbed a 46-year-old woman at the nursery before being detained by deputies. Arriaga is now being held on a $2.21 million bond.

Why it matters

Violent family disputes and workplace violence are ongoing public safety concerns in the Fresno area, which has seen an uptick in property and violent crimes in recent years. This tragic incident highlights the need for better mental health resources and conflict resolution programs to prevent such tragedies.

The details

According to the Fresno County Sheriff's Office, Nicolas Arriaga stabbed his aunt Maria Salud Banda Wash, the 64-year-old owner of Sago Rey Palms Plant Nursery, as well as a 46-year-old woman at the nursery on Easter Sunday. When deputies arrived, Arriaga was armed with a machete but dropped it when ordered, then charged at the deputies, who only suffered minor injuries. Banda Wash died from her injuries the following day, while the other woman was released from the hospital that night.

  • The incident occurred on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2026.
  • Maria Salud Banda Wash passed away from her injuries on April 13, 2026.

The players

Maria Salud Banda Wash

A 64-year-old woman who owned the Sago Rey Palms Plant Nursery in Fresno County, California.

Nicolas Arriaga

A 29-year-old Fresno resident who is the nephew of Maria Salud Banda Wash and is accused of fatally stabbing her and injuring another woman at the family's plant nursery.

Fresno County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that responded to the incident, detained the suspect, and is investigating the case.

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What’s next

The judge will determine if Nicolas Arriaga will be granted bail at his upcoming court hearing.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the need for greater mental health resources and conflict resolution programs in the Fresno area to prevent such acts of family violence and workplace violence from occurring in the future.