Man Sentenced for Assault, Not Girlfriend's Death

Victor Cruz pleaded guilty to assault and domestic violence charges after his girlfriend's death, as the medical examiner could not conclusively determine if he caused her death.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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A 20-year-old man, Victor Cruz, was initially arrested on suspicion of killing his 24-year-old girlfriend, Vivian Avila, at a Mission Valley motel in San Diego. However, a medical examiner later ruled that Avila died of natural causes from a blood clot, and Cruz ended up pleading guilty to assault and domestic violence charges instead of a homicide. He was sentenced to seven years in state prison.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges in determining the cause of death in domestic violence situations, as well as the importance of thorough investigations and medical examinations to ensure justice is served appropriately.

The details

Police and paramedics responded to the Mission Valley motel in January 2025 and found Avila dead, with visible injuries. Cruz and another man were also found in the room, and Cruz was arrested. However, the medical examiner later determined that Avila died of natural causes from a blood clot, not from any injuries inflicted by Cruz. As a result, Cruz pleaded guilty to assault and domestic violence charges instead of a homicide.

  • On January 17, 2025, police and paramedics responded to the Mission Valley motel and found Avila dead.
  • In 2026, Victor Cruz was sentenced to seven years in state prison for assault and domestic violence charges.

The players

Victor Cruz

A 20-year-old man who was initially arrested on suspicion of killing his girlfriend, Vivian Avila, but later pleaded guilty to assault and domestic violence charges.

Vivian Avila

A 24-year-old woman who died at a Mission Valley motel, with the medical examiner determining she died of natural causes from a blood clot.

Eva Kilamyan

The Deputy District Attorney who handled the case.

Polly Shamoon

The Superior Court Judge who sentenced Victor Cruz.

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What they’re saying

“This is a woman who loved you and her family tried very hard to get her away from you because of the way that you treated her.”

— Polly Shamoon, Superior Court Judge (nbcsandiego.com)

“It kills me to know that I caused her pain in her final moments.”

— Victor Cruz (nbcsandiego.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Victor Cruz to be released on parole for good behavior.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complexities in determining the cause of death in domestic violence situations, and the importance of thorough investigations to ensure justice is served appropriately, even when the initial charges cannot be conclusively proven.