Yutzilt Mendez Gomez was a young mother of two who dreamed of a better life for her family. She was also a victim of a brutal murder plot that involved her boyfriend, a real estate agent, and a rival broker.
The Motive
The mastermind behind the murder was Daniel Blizzard, a 29-year-old real estate broker who wanted to eliminate his competition in the market. Blizzard had a personal and professional feud with Vernon Holbrook, a 79-year-old veteran and realtor who had sold more properties than him.
Blizzard was also jealous of Holbrook’s relationship with Blizzard’s ex-girlfriend, Jessica Taylor, who had left him for Holbrook. Blizzard blamed Holbrook for ruining his life and decided to kill him.
The Plan
Blizzard hired Yutzilt Mendez Gomez and her boyfriend, Luis Gomez-Monges, to carry out the murder. He promised them $20,000 and a house in exchange for their services.
Blizzard instructed them to pose as potential buyers and lure Holbrook to a remote property in Cowiche, Washington, where they would ambush him and shoot him. Blizzard also provided them with a gun, a silencer, and a burner phone.
The Execution
On October 15, 2019, Mendez Gomez and Gomez-Monges followed Blizzard’s plan and met Holbrook at the property. They pretended to be interested in the house and asked Holbrook to show them around. While Holbrook was in the basement, Gomez-Monges shot him in the head and chest, leaving him for dead.
However, Holbrook survived the attack and managed to crawl out of the house and call for help. He was found by a neighbor and taken to a hospital, where he underwent surgery and recovered from his injuries.
The Aftermath
The police soon traced the phone used by the killers and arrested Mendez Gomez and Gomez-Monges. They confessed to their involvement and implicated Blizzard as the mastermind. Blizzard was also arrested and charged with attempted murder, conspiracy, and solicitation.
Yutzilt Mendez Gomez and Gomez-Monges faced trial in 2020. Mendez Gomez pleaded guilty to assault and rendering criminal assistance and received a one-year sentence. Gomez-Monges was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 28 years in prison.
Blizzard also faced trial in 2020. He pleaded not guilty and claimed that he was framed by Mendez Gomez and Gomez-Monges, who were trying to extort money from him. He also denied having any motive to kill Holbrook, saying that he had no personal or professional issues with him.
However, the jury did not believe Blizzard’s story and found him guilty of all charges. He was sentenced to 34 and a half years in prison.
The Tragedy
While Blizzard, Mendez Gomez, and Gomez-Monges were in custody, a shocking twist occurred. On February 14, 2020, Mendez Gomez was found dead in her cell at the Yakima County Jail. She had hanged herself with a bed sheet.
Mendez Gomez’s death was ruled a suicide by the coroner. Her family and friends were devastated by the news and questioned why she took her own life. They said that she was a loving and caring person who had made a terrible mistake and regretted it.
They also suspected that she was suffering from depression and anxiety due to the stress of the case and the conditions of the jail. They claimed that she was not given proper mental health care and support by the authorities.
Mendez Gomez left behind two children, aged 9 and 11, who were placed in foster care after her arrest. Her family and friends hoped that they would be able to reunite with them and give them a better future.
Yutzilt Mendez Gomez’s death was a tragic end to a life that was cut short by a series of bad choices and circumstances. She was a victim of her own actions, but also of a ruthless scheme that exploited her vulnerability and desperation.
Her story is a reminder of the dangers of greed, jealousy, and violence, and the consequences they can have on innocent lives. It is also a call for justice, compassion, and prevention, and the need to address the root causes of crime and suicide in our society.
