REVEALED: Pregnant teen Savanah Soto’s boyfriend was shot in the head before pair were found dead in his car as cops investigate their deaths as a ‘possible murder’
A pregnant teen was found shot to death while her boyfriend sat behind her in his car with a gunshot wound to the head.
Savannah Soto, 18, disappeared last Saturday as she was scheduled to be induced and was found dead Tuesday along with Matthew Guerra, 22.
Guerra died of a “contact gunshot wound to the head,” but it was not yet clear whether it was a suicide or homicide, the Bexar County, Texas, medical examiner's office said.
Police referred to both of them as “victims” and said they suffered gunshot wounds, but the cause and manner of Soto's death had yet to be determined. However, police said yesterday that she had been shot.
A user who claimed to be a neighbor of Soto and Guerra last year said they witnessed the friend “fighting and hitting her almost every day.”
Savanah Soto, 18, and her boyfriend Matthew Guerra were found dead after going missing on December 23
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said the scene was complex and “very confusing” and the case is being investigated as a possible homicide.
Their bodies were in the car for three to four days until they were discovered, police said. Soto's unborn baby did not survive.
Guerra's Kia Optima was found in a parking lot on Danny Kaye Drive in San Antonio after a witness messaged Soto's sister-in-law Joanie Wasil on Facebook.
Wasil saw Soto in the front passenger seat and Guerra in the back. She took one look at Soto's face “and didn't want to see any more of it.”
Soto issued a restraining order against Guerra a year ago after hitting her on Christmas Day 2022 and was charged with assault.
“You are prohibited from intentionally, knowingly or recklessly communicating with Savannah Soto by telephone, writing or in person in a harmful or prejudicial manner,” the court records say.
The documents provide no details about the 2022 attack.
Mariana Delgado, who claims to be the deceased teen's sister-in-law, posted on Facebook that Soto's body was found early this evening and that she was in “bad bad condition.”
Matthew Guerra, 22, pictured in a 2022 jail photo
Despite a documented history of violence, Guerra's mother claimed her son was not abusive
Guerra violated his parole on the domestic violence charge and was charged again in court in June with three new crimes: evading arrest, unlawful possession of a firearm and reckless driving.
“The defendant demonstrates that he is in the pre-contemplation phase and intends to continue engaging in criminal activity,” the legal paperwork said.
He also failed to seek legal employment or take battery counseling classes.
After the teenage girl's disappearance, a neighbor of Soto and Guerra claimed they witnessed the boyfriend “fighting.” [with] and beat her almost every day'.
“I saw him hit her and kick her down while she was unconscious,” the unnamed person said, adding that “he kicked her body and face” and “she needed stitches.”
Despite a documented history of violence, Guerra's mother claimed her son was not abusive.
“I know my son and he wouldn't do anything to hurt her,” Karen Hernandez posted online during the time the couple was missing.
“As a mother, I know that my son and his girlfriend were taken against their will because my son does what he does for money.”
The 18-year-old was last seen at her Leon Valley apartment and was described as being in “imminent danger” or disappearing involuntarily
Her boyfriend Matthew Guerra was also missing and some accused him of being involved. Guerra's mother denied the allegations against her son: 'I know my son and he wouldn't do anything to hurt her'
Hernandez did not elaborate on what exactly he did for money.
Soto's family insisted she would not have run away when they appealed for help finding her on Christmas Day.
“I don't know where she is or where she could be because this doesn't suit her,” her mother Gloria Cordova told reporters.
'She was so excited to have this baby, the house is already baby ready. She was so excited to be a mom.”
Wasil added, “It's all she talked about since she got pregnant… That was her life. She was so ready to become a mother. I think she was meant to be a mother.”
Victor Nathaneal Rivas, 18, was on trial Friday for the murder of Ethan Soto, 15, when the Soto family launched an attack, footage shows
The shooter is said to have lured his 'victim' from his home in May 2022 after Ethan stole THC cartridges from Rivas (photo: Ethan Soto)
Soto's family was recently involved in a courtroom brawl with supporters of the teenager accused of killing her brother last year.
Ethan Soto, 15, was shot and killed in revenge for a drug robbery in May 2022, according to San Antonio police.
Victor Nathaneal Rivas took the stand in court then members of the Soto family rushed him, causing a huge brawl.
Footage showed at least four members jumping over a partition and throwing punches at Rivas, who allegedly challenged the group by gesturing at them.