Simi Valley Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder

By Redaccion
[email protected]

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that on November 21, 2023, Euren Balbuena (DOB 11/29/90), of Simi Valley, was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder of his girlfriend Zaira Patino-Trejo.

The jury also found Balbuena guilty of assault with a deadly weapon against the victim’s mother and battery causing great bodily injury against Patino-Trejo. Two special allegations were found to be true: Balbuena personally used a knife in the killing of Ms. Patino-Trejo and he personally inflicted great bodily injury to the victim’s mother.

The jury found Balbuena not guilty of the attempted murder of Zaira’s mom.

“Zaira had a bright future ahead of her, but her life was taken way too soon by a man fueled with rage and jealousy,” said Supervising Senior Deputy District Attorney Melissa Suttner after successfully prosecuting the case. “Zaira’s mom witnessed the defendant repeatedly and brutally stab her daughter but was unable to save her. The circumstances of this case are so tragic and illustrate the devastating outcome of domestic violence.”

On February 27, 2020, Balbuena and Ms. Patino-Trejo were in the middle of an argument inside of their Simi Valley apartment. Aware of the ongoing argument and a history of domestic violence in the relationship, the victim’s mother arrived at the apartment when she could not get in contact with Ms. Patino-Trejo.

Seeing signs of more abuse on her daughter’s face, the victim’s mother tried to leave with her. Balbuena would not let Ms. Patino-Trejo out of the apartment and instead grabbed a kitchen knife swinging it at the victim’s mother. He slashed her twice in the head before turning and stabbing Ms. Patino-Trejo. Balbuena stabbed her more than 30 times with several knives, killing her.

The victim’s mother ran bleeding from the apartment and contacted a bystander who called 911. Simi Valley Police Officers arrived at the scene and arrested Balbuena who remained inside the apartment.

“The Simi Valley Police Department did an outstanding job investigating this case,” Suttner said. “The jury worked tirelessly and endured weeks of graphic and emotional evidence to reach a verdict in this case and we are grateful to them for their service.”

Balbuena is scheduled to be sentenced on January 17, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 46 of the Ventura County Superior Court.

Case: 2020006946

Defendant Information:

Euren Balbuena (DOB 11/29/90)
Simi Valley

Charges Convicted of:

PC 187(a) – Murder
PC 245(a)(1) – Assault with a deadly weapon
PC 243(e)(1) – Battery

Special Allegations found true:

PC 12022(b)(1) – Use of a deadly weapon
PC 12022.7(a) – Great bodily injury in commission of a felony