by Los Angeles, California – A man described in court as a “certified homicidal serial killer” will spend the rest of his life behind bars after murdering three people over four years in East Los Angeles. Anthony Velasquez, 35, received a 150-year prison sentence Friday for the deaths of Jesse Avalos in 2014, Eduardo Robles in 2015, and Amanda Nicole Lopez in 2018.
The verdict comes after a Los Angeles jury found Velasquez guilty of three counts of first-degree murder, deliberating for five and a half hours, according to local ABC affiliate KABC.
“You, Anthony, are and always will be nothing more than a certified homicidal serial killer who has no heart and no conscience,” Amanda Lopez, mother of the 27-year-old victim, told the court during sentencing.
Timeline of the Murders
The three killings, all committed within roughly two miles of each other, followed a chilling pattern of violence reportedly fueled by Velasquez’s perception that the victims had disrespected him.
- Jesse Avalos (Feb. 11, 2014): Avalos, 34, received a phone call the night before the attack about someone needing a jumpstart. Around 11:15 p.m., he responded and was later found dead in his SUV near Telegraph Road and Arizona Avenue in East Los Angeles. Authorities later determined Velasquez used the same firearm in all three killings.
- Eduardo Robles (July 6, 2015): Robles, 38, got into a fight with Velasquez at a party on Eagle Street. After sabotaging Robles’ car by puncturing his tires, Velasquez approached and shot him several times in the chest, killing him. Prosecutors confirmed the firearm matched the one used in Avalos’ murder.
- Amanda Nicole Lopez (April 22, 2018): Lopez, 27, was living in a homeless encampment near the East Los Angeles Courthouse. Velasquez drove up, exited his vehicle, and fired into her tent while she slept, striking her in the torso and killing her.
Investigators noted that all three murders shared similar suspect descriptions, suggesting a pattern that led to Velasquez’s arrest.
Father’s Role in the Crimes
Velasquez’s father, Manuel Velasquez, 55, was also implicated in the crimes. Prosecutors said he helped his son kill Robles and assisted in disposing of evidence. Investigators believe Manuel was present for all three murders and acted as the getaway driver at least for Lopez’s killing.
“Usually fathers protect their kids. Well, I guess he protected Anthony from getting arrested,” Lt. Hugo Reynaga told The Los Angeles Times during the investigation.
Manuel Velasquez later pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and accessory after the fact in February and was sentenced to over 11 years in prison.
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Family Statements and Emotional Impact
During the sentencing, family members of the victims expressed deep grief and recounted the lasting impact of the killings.
“There is not one day that I don’t think about my dad,” Eduardo Avalos’ daughter told the court. “I won’t ever have my dad and daughter dance. I won’t have my dad to walk me down the aisle.”
Amanda Lopez’s mother described her daughter’s death as devastating, emphasizing the profound void left in the family.
Investigation and Arrest
Despite the last killing occurring in 2018, it took three years for authorities to publicly connect the three murders. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department offered an $80,000 reward for information leading to an arrest during an August 2021 press conference, which ultimately helped lead to Velasquez’s apprehension.
Authorities confirmed that the gun used in all three killings was the same, and all murders occurred within a short radius, providing key evidence for the prosecution.
The Sentence
With 150 years in prison, Anthony Velasquez will never be eligible for release, reflecting the severity of his crimes. The sentence aims to provide justice to the victims’ families while ensuring public safety in Los Angeles.
“This is a stark reminder of the consequences of extreme violence and the importance of law enforcement in tracking repeat offenders,” said a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
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