Couple Found Dead In Apparent Murder-Suicide Near Area Casino ID'd

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — A man and woman, found dead from a suspected murder-suicide Tuesday in a vehicle in a Campo casino parking lot, were identified as a husband and wife from San Ysidro, officials said today.

The couple, Johnny Soto, 52, and Melissa Soto, 45, were married, but living separately, and were reported missing "under suspicious circumstances" last week by family members, the San Diego Police Department said.

Investigators said the female died from strangulation, while the male was deceased from what appeared to be a self-inflicted, single gunshot wound to the head.

The pair was found Dec. 26, at approximately 12:25 p.m., in the Golden Acorn Casino parking lot in Campo by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. Officers then contacted San Diego police as the Sotos' vehicle was linked to their missing persons case.

"There was likely a domestic violence incident prior to them being reported missing," SDPD Lt. Steve Shebloski said in a release. "(Melissa's) death has confirmed to be a homicide, with her husband as the lone suspect in what appears to be a tragic case of domestic violence."

"The initial investigation indicated the male and female were missing under suspicious circumstances," Shebloski said without further elaboration, but added that, "The exact nature of what occurred and why they were missing is still under investigation."

Johnny’s sister, Christina Sandoval, set up a GoFundMe five days ago to help support the couple's three children, when the initial missing-persons report was filed — but before their bodies were found.

"It is not like either one of them just to leave and not communicate with their 3 kids, Alexia, Vincent and Elise," she wrote on the fundraising site. "The kids are home alone and are very scared. We are all taking turns to spend time with them and help them through this very difficult and scary situation.

"Alexia and Vincent (are) very young adults out of high school and Elise is still a teenager. They need help for groceries and any bills that may come up. They have a puppy they are caring for, on top of caring for themselves."

After the couple was reported deceased, Sandoval updated the GoFundMe: "Sadly, Alexia, Vincent and Elise lost both parents. Please help support them in this difficult time. We will have to move them out of their family home they can’t afford to support on their own. We as a family are grouping together to help them during this extremely difficult time. We truly appreciate what everyone has done for the family."

To date, the effort has raised $8,334.

SDPD’s Southern Division and Homicide Unit now are handling the Sotos' murder-suicide investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the department at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233,) visit thehotline.org, or text LOVEIS to 22522. All calls and texts are toll-free and confidential.

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