Calif. Man Who Googled 'How to Kill Your Ex's Fiancé' Is Convicted of Murdering Him
A jury found Jesse Alvarez, 33, guilty of murdering his ex-girlfriend's fiancé Mario Fierro, a Catholic school teacher
CourtTV/ YouTube; Catholic Community Foundation of San Diego
A California man, who Googled “how to kill your ex’s fiancé,” has been convicted of murder.
Jesse Alvarez, 33, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Mario Fierro, a Catholic school teacher engaged to fellow teacher and Alvarez’s ex-girlfriend Amy Gembara, according to KSWB-TV, KNSD and KGTV.
Alvarez shot Fierro six times as he was leaving his home in the North Park neighborhood of San Diego to head to work on Feb. 1, 2021, prosecutors said in court, per the outlets.
Prior to this, prosecutors said he had stalked his ex-girlfriend, who he had dated on and off between 2015 to 2019. Gembara said in court she had tried to move and change her number and eventually filed a restraining order against him, according to KSWB-TV.
Once Alvarez had learned that she got engaged to Fierro, prosecutors said he began plotting Fierro’s murder. He had Googled “how to kill your ex’s fiance,” and also did internet searches for “hiring hitmen,” “how to kill someone with a handgun” and “how to delete Google search history.”
Alvarez’s defense claimed that the shooting had been done in self-defense. Alvarez testified, per the outlets. He claimed that he had gone up to introduce himself to Fierro that day, and that the teacher had gotten aggressive and tried to kill him. He claimed that he tried to get Fierro to calm down before pulling out a gun.
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He further testified that he has autism, which his attorney said made it difficult for him to understand social cues. He also admitted that he had fantasized about Fierro’s death, but didn’t intend to kill him and turned to Google because he didn’t have anyone to talk to.
After two days of deliberation, the jury reached a guilty verdict for Alvarez. He could face a sentence of life in prison without a chance for parole for the crime, according to the outlets.
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Prosecuting Attorney Ramona McCarthy told KGTV that she had spoken with Fierro’s family members after the verdict was made.
“I’m going to keep most of that conversation confidential," McCarthy said. “But I can just say that closure feels good—at least as far as this part of the procedure goes. Nothing will bring Mr. Fierro back.”
Alvarez’s sentencing is scheduled for May 10, 2024.
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