Hollister
– The Hollister Police Department has no suspects more than a
month after 20-year-old Christella Macias was found dead at the end
of a westside neighborhood street.
Hollister – The Hollister Police Department has no suspects more than a month after 20-year-old Christella Macias was found dead at the end of a westside neighborhood street.
At 8:43am June 22, police were called to the end of C Street, where they found Macias with her clothes pulled up, wrapped around her neck and a bag over her head, according to the neighbor who found her.
In the immediate aftermath of the homicide, Capt. Bob Brooks urged city residents, especially women, to be cautious and remain aware of their surroundings. An autopsy the week after she was killed showed Macias died from blunt force trauma.
Police have designated one detective to work on the homicide full time, Capt. Richard Vasquez said.
Although Vasquez would not detail the circumstances authorities believe surrounded Macias’ death, the captain said Wednesday that city residents should remain calm.
“I don’t think this is anything that’s going to cause community alarm,” Vasquez said. “I think this was a particular incident.”
Vasquez would not release any new information Wednesday about the woman’s death, including her killer’s motive or the type of weapon used.
Authorities continue to interview citizens and follow leads.
“Homicides don’t always get solved immediately,” Vasquez said.
Hollister Mayor Brad Pike said Wednesday he’s confident the police department is doing everything “humanly possible” to solve the crime.
“I think anyone who gives up on a crime like this is not serving the community to the fullest extent,” Pike said.
The mayor was bothered he couldn’t know all the details from the outset, but hopes police will provide answers soon that lead to the arrest of whoever killed Macias, he said.
Pike said the homicide shows the importance for public safety funding, noting how the department is understaffed.
Police have called upon the San Benito County District Attorney’s Office to help investigate Macias’ death, Vasquez said.
District Attorney Candice Hooper said Pat Stevens, the office’s investigator, is assisting the police department. Hooper said the department is doing everything in its power to solve the homicide.
“We’re always hopeful that we’re going to find the persons responsible,” Hooper said.
Little has been revealed about the circumstances that led to Macias’ death.
Alana Miller, a 22-year-old Hollister resident and friend of Macias, said a week after her death that a group of friends saw the woman alone on the afternoon of June 21 at Quik Stop on San Felipe Road, one day before she was killed.
The friends were going to give Macias a ride but never did, Miller said.
