Full Notification

This a supplemental media release to Case #18-733, which was originally posted on February 12, 2018.
 
On February 12, 2018, at around 9AM, Novato Police Department officers responded to an apartment in the 1500 block of Hill Road for a welfare check. The parents of Jacqueline Reales-Gallegos sought assistance from NPD in contacting her after they had been unable to reach her. Officers obtained an apartment key from complex management staff and entered the apartment in an attempt to contact Ms. Reales-Gallegos and her husband, Jose Reales. Upon entering to the apartment, officers located two deceased adults who were later identified as Novato residents Jacqueline Reales-Gallegos and Jose Reales, aged 31 and 29. Their identities were later confirmed by the Marin County Sheriff’s Office – Coroner Division, who assisted with the investigation.
 
Evidence located at the scene indicated that Ms. Reales-Gallegos died as a result of blunt force trauma and Mr. Reales died as a result of suicide by hanging. Believing that a homicide had occurred in the apartment and to conduct a thorough and conclusive investigation, Detectives from the Novato Police Department Investigations Section responded to the scene. A search warrant was obtained for the apartment and with the assistance of the MCSO – Coroner Division and Crime Scene Investigations Team, Detectives from Novato Police Department processed the scene of the homicide for evidence.
 
As a result of the investigation, the Novato Police Department has ruled this incident a murder-suicide. We have concluded that Jacqueline Reales-Gallegos was a victim of homicide by her husband, Jose Reales, who then committed suicide at an unknown time after Jacqueline Reales-Gallegos’ death. A motive for the murder-suicide is undetermined, however, the investigation revealed the couple was experiencing marital issues.
 
The Novato Police Department offers our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Jacqueline and Jose Reales.
 
An event such is this is tragic and unfortunate for the victim’s loved ones and our community. The city staff, the Novato Police Department, and our community members take pride in Novato’s extremely low violent crime rate. You can help prevent violent crime and criminal acts by reporting criminal behavior to the Novato Police Department by dialing 911 for emergencies, at [email protected], and via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.