Double Homicide Shatters Santa Rosa Family's Easter Plans

Authorities say Desiree Fuentes and Terry Joe Harris were found dead after a suspected carjacking incident.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:37pm

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An extreme close-up of a shattered car sensor lens reflecting a faint red light, conceptually illustrating the vandalism of self-driving cars.A recent wave of targeted street violence against autonomous vehicles exposes pent-up frustration in the community.Santa Rosa Today

In the days before she was killed, 43-year-old Desiree Carmen Fuentes of Santa Rosa was looking forward to a simple Easter celebration at home with her daughters, reconnecting and making plans for the future. Instead, Fuentes and her friend Terry Joe Harris, 58, were found dead in Clearlake on Easter Sunday after a suspected carjacking ended in a double homicide. Two Clearlake residents, Alex Kenneth Schussolin, 37, and Jasslynn Pearl Critchett, 32, have been charged in connection with the killings.

Why it matters

Fuentes' family members say they are focused on both justice and remembrance, determined that she be known for her life, not her death. They describe her as a warm, outgoing person who had an unusual ability to connect with others and was working to rebuild relationships with her daughters before her life was tragically cut short.

The details

Authorities say California Highway Patrol officers discovered the bodies of Desiree Fuentes and Terry Joe Harris after a traffic stop in Clearlake. Investigators have shared few details about the case, but Schussolin and Critchett have been charged with first-degree murder and remain in custody in Lake County. Fuentes' family members say they support the investigation and want to ensure accountability.

  • On Easter Sunday, the bodies of Desiree Fuentes and Terry Joe Harris were discovered.
  • Schussolin and Critchett are expected to appear at a hearing on April 14 in Lake County Superior Court.

The players

Desiree Carmen Fuentes

A 43-year-old Santa Rosa woman who was looking forward to a simple Easter celebration with her daughters before she was killed.

Terry Joe Harris

A 58-year-old Santa Rosa resident who was described by Desiree Fuentes' family as a close friend.

Alex Kenneth Schussolin

A 37-year-old Clearlake resident who has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the killings.

Jasslynn Pearl Critchett

A 32-year-old Clearlake resident who has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the killings.

Destiny Fuentes

Desiree Fuentes' 25-year-old daughter who is now working to secure guardianship of her 15-year-old sister, Liliana, after their great-grandmother's death.

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What they’re saying

“We had all of these plans together. This was supposed to be our new beginning.”

— Destiny Fuentes, Desiree Fuentes' daughter

“She had this laugh that was the most contagious laugh. It was so full of light. It could be such a dark time, but just hearing her laugh was just this light in a dark room.”

— Destiny Fuentes, Desiree Fuentes' daughter

“She could walk into a room, didn't know anybody, and come out and everybody's her best friend. She literally had no enemies. Everybody loved her.”

— Michael Fuentes, Desiree Fuentes' brother

What’s next

Schussolin and Critchett are expected to appear at a hearing on April 14 in Lake County Superior Court.

The takeaway

This tragic double homicide has devastated Desiree Fuentes' family, who are now focused on both seeking justice and honoring her memory as a warm, outgoing person who had an unusual ability to connect with others. Her death has left a void in the lives of her loved ones, who are determined to ensure her legacy lives on.