By Redaccion
[email protected]
A jury has convicted Saul C. Nava, 24, of nine felony counts, including the first-degree murder and torture of his girlfriend, Alisen Takacs-Escobar, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.
Nava was also found guilty of torturing and kidnapping a previous girlfriend, who survived his abuse.
The verdict brings some closure to a case that has shocked the local community with its brutal details. A judge will now determine whether several special allegations apply, including whether Nava’s crimes involved great violence and if the victims were particularly vulnerable. The court will address these allegations in a separate hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
“This result cannot erase the immeasurable pain the defendant inflicted on the victims and their families, but we hope it brings some measure of closure to see him held accountable for his horrific crimes,” Senior Deputy District Attorney David Russell said in a statement. Russell, part of the Ventura County DA’s Major Crimes Homicide Unit, led the prosecution.
Christmas Eve Tragedy
The investigation began on Dec. 24, 2021, when Nava called 911 from the studio apartment he shared with Takacs-Escobar. When Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies arrived, they discovered Takacs-Escobar’s lifeless body bearing signs of extensive abuse.
According to the DA’s office, the young woman’s body was covered in bruises, and she had a severe laceration on the top of her head. Investigators also found degrading words freshly tattooed on her chest.
Inside the apartment, deputies discovered tattoo equipment along with several makeshift weapons, including baseball bats, a hammer, and a screwdriver. Nava was arrested at the scene. A search of the apartment uncovered Nava’s phone, which contained disturbing videos. Hours before Takacs-Escobar’s death, Nava recorded himself taunting her, showing no concern for her deteriorating condition.
Past Victim Identified
During the investigation, authorities identified another victim who had previously endured Nava’s abuse. The survivor, who first met Nava when they were teenagers, revealed that her relationship with him quickly became abusive.
The woman testified that Nava confined her in a closet and beat her repeatedly. When she attempted to escape, Nava found her and forced her back into his vehicle at knifepoint.
The abuse escalated when the victim became pregnant at 17. Nava punched her in the stomach and coerced her into having an abortion. She described being punched, choked, and filmed without her consent during intimate moments. The pattern of abuse ended only when Nava began dating Takacs-Escobar in the summer of 2021.
Awaiting Sentencing
Nava now faces the possibility of enhanced penalties if the judge determines that the special allegations, such as great violence and victim vulnerability, apply to the case. Sentencing is expected to follow shortly after the court’s decision on the additional factors.
This case has drawn significant attention, highlighting the severity of intimate partner violence and the lasting impact it leaves on survivors.
For those experiencing domestic abuse, help is available 24/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
This article covers the conviction of Saul C. Nava, including the circumstances of his crimes, the victims’ experiences, and the ongoing court proceedings.
