Crime & Safety

Woman Sentenced for Fatally Stabbing Woman in South Whittier

Vanessa Celaya stabbed the victim 11 times following a verbal confrontation, according to the district attorney.

NORWALK, CA - A Riverside County woman who fatally stabbed a woman in unincorporated South Whittier and robbed a night watchman at a nearby store was sentenced today to 23 years to life in state prison.

Superior Court Judge John Torribio imposed the term on Vanessa Celaya, 30, of Rubidoux, who was convicted Jan. 21 of second-degree murder for the Sept. 5, 2014, killing of Michelle Young, 31, of Los Angeles.

Celaya stabbed Young 11 times following a verbal confrontation in the 11500 block of Obert Avenue, according to Deputy District Attorney Andrea Mader.

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Jurors also convicted Celaya of the first-degree robbery of a night watchman at a nearby tire shop shortly after the late night killing. Celaya demanded a change of clothing from him before leaving the store, according to the prosecutor.

She was arrested soon afterward and has remained behind bars since then.

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--City News Service, photo via Shutterstock

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