Ceres man gets prison for murdering wife, a mother of 3. He had a violent record
A Ceres man was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the 2020 murder of his wife, Yessica Mendoza.
Daniel Gracia, 33, had been convicted of first-degree murder, the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release Thursday, May 15.
Mendoza, then 29, was shot on the 3900 block of Suncrest Drive, the Ceres Police Department reported at the time. Gracia was arrested at the scene of the shooting, which happened Aug. 18, 2020.
The couple had three children. Gracia had a record of domestic violence, including a 2018 conviction for corporal injury to a spouse and a 2019 conviction for assault.
The DA’s news release said Gracia was drunk and arguing with Mendoza before shooting her in the face with a revolver.
“During a 911 call made by a witness at the house, Gracia was heard saying, ‘I shot her,’” the release said. “Gracia also admitted to the witness that he shot his wife.”
The release said police officers found Mendoza lying in the front yard and began CPR, but she died from the single wound. Police arrested Gracia at the scene and recovered the gun, the DA said.
‘We weren’t prepared for such a tragedy’
Soon after the shooting, loved ones set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the victim’s family. It is no longer active.
“On August 13 @ 9:17, our beloved daughter, mother, sister was taken from us,” the appeal said. “The father of her children shot her and took her life. Yessica was only 29 and leaves 3 children behind. We weren’t prepared for such a tragedy. We need all the help we can get to give her a proper burial and lay her body to rest. Thank you and God bless #domestic#violence#victim.”
Deputy District Attorney Melissa Chichportich prosecuted this case as part of the Domestic Violence Unit. Its website has advice on how other victims can get help.
This story was originally published May 15, 2025 at 11:07 AM.
