Turlock, CA – On February 26th, 2014 at 8:02 PM emergency medical personnel responded to the northbound rest stop on highway 99 near Turlock for a medical aid. Upon arrival they rendered medical aid to the victim, 41 year old Christina Cardoza of Merced. Cardoza died at the scene and law enforcement was called. Detectives learned Cardoza had sustained an injury and after the autopsy was completed it was determined that Cardoza had died from blunt force trauma to her upper body.
On February 25th, 2015 at 12:00 PM Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Detectives arrested 42 year old Bryan Dean Small of Modesto for homicide and 65 year old Cheryl Ruth Liberty of Modesto for accessory. Both were persons of interest in the death of Cardoza during the initial investigation and Small had been interviewed and released.
Sheriff’s detectives learned during their investigation that Small and Cardoza had been involved in an altercation in the rural area of Merced County prior to them arriving at the northbound rest stop on highway 99 near Turlock, CA. Detectives developed evidence that Small had killed Cardoza and Liberty had helped him after the victim had been killed. Detectives obtained arrest warrants today for Small and Liberty and found them near a residence in Modesto, CA. Both were arrested and booked at the County Jail.
If you have any information on the investigation please call Detective Gregory Buck of the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department at 209-525-7103.
If you have any tips, you can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636. Tipsters can also e-mail tips at http://www.modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers, or text them to CRIMES (274637) by typing "Tip704" plus the message and be eligible for a cash reward
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Adam Christianson, Sheriff – Coroner
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