Victim Services Don’t End When The Life Of A Suspect Or Defendant Does

Napa was shocked and devastated by the recent tragedy where two people were murdered by a third person, who died several days after a suicide attempt. This type of violence and tragedy is unusual in our community, leaving many shaken and heavy with grief. Those victims, Georgina Padilla and Ralph Andino III, each left behind a community of family and friends who loved them and are left behind to grieve. The Napa County District Attorney’s Office joins the community in mourning these losses and continues to support the surviving victims as they move through the difficult days ahead.

Napa is a tight-knit, quiet community. However, Georgina and Ralph’s deaths marked the fifth and sixth time this year that someone in our county has been murdered and much like the others, this latest devastating event has left many in our community reeling. Friends, neighbors, and other community members have expressed concern for the families of the innocent victims. Even though there can be no criminal prosecution because of the suspect’s death, the District Attorney's Office remains involved with both families to provide support and resources in the wake of this tragedy.

Justice and accountability are crucial for the healing process of crime victims. However, when the suspect is deceased, this path to closure is blocked. Despite the absence of a suspect to prosecute for these murders, the District Attorney's Office can still play a significant role in aiding the healing and recovery process. The District Attorney’s Office's work with the families does not cease when a prosecution is no longer feasible. Instead, it shifts the focus from trial preparation to victim services, relying on its advocates to guide families through this unimaginable time and connect them to necessary resources. Napa County has numerous community-based agencies that collaborate with the District Attorney's Office to meet the needs of crime victims, including NEWS – Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Services, the Monarch Justice Center, and the Trauma Recovery Center, a program of SANE-SART. These agencies and many more are crucial to the long-term healing and care of victims, helping them transition from victims to survivors.

The District Attorney's Office's victim advocates are trained to respond to crises and support victims in the aftermath of a crime. In this recent incident, they responded on the day of the murders, providing services to family members. Advocates have maintained contact and support since. Advocates can help family members in many ways after a crime – even if the case is not charged. This support may include completing applications for victim compensation, finding new housing, assisting with rental needs, planning a funeral, finding mental health treatment providers, getting property involved in the crime returned, and more.

Violent crimes like this one have a profound impact on the entire community, shaking people's sense of safety and well-being. To aid the broader community in healing, the District Attorney’s Office and our partner agencies are also available to assist those indirectly affected by this incident. If anyone is struggling in the aftermath of this horrible trauma, they may reach out to an advocate by contacting the Victim Services Division. Advocates are ready to assess community members' needs and connect them to appropriate support. In addition, the Victims Services Division and the other community-based organizations with which it works are also available to conduct community presentations and education regarding resources available to victims of crime.

The District Attorney's Office offers its heartfelt condolences to all impacted by the recent homicides, particularly those who knew and loved Georgina and Ralph. While there cannot be a criminal trial, we are still involved with those impacted to help start the long journey to healing.

— Erin Harper is the Victim Witness Program Manager at the Napa County District Attorney’s Office