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Season 34 episode three of Snapped on Oxygen was released on July 21, 2024, and shed light on the murder of Adrian Zapata. The 58-year-old was killed on May 22, 2014, in his apartment in Westminster. His wife, Olga Vasquez-Collazos, and her lover, Roberto Rafael Saavedra Gallardo, were the prime suspects.
The jury and the law officers convicted the two of murder with the motive of financial gain. Adrian was not a very wealthy man, however, he had some money and property, which could have helped the lovers start fresh after his death.
In 2021, Vasquez Collazos was sentenced to 25 years to life for being involved in this murder conspiracy. Meanwhile, Robert Gallardo was charged with murder for economic gain, as reported by CBS News. Senior Deputy District Attorney Janine Madera stated that Gallardo was accused of "staging the scene to look like a robbery."
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Snapped on Oxygen: Five details about Adrian Zapata's murder
1) Adrian Zapata was reportedly murdered while he was asleep
On May 22, 2014, Adrian Zapata was most likely killed in his residence while he slept. According to City News Service, Robert Rafael Saavedra Gallardo, the perpetrator, killed him by repeatedly striking his skull. Zapata's head was broken, and he also had multiple stab wounds to his body.
While no murder weapon was retrieved from the scene, it was likely something heavy enough to have fractured his skull. Moreover, he was reportedly stabbed at least seven times in his neck and shoulder region.
2) Adrian Zapata was killed for financial gain by his wife and her lover
Attorney Madera claimed that Saavedra and Collazos killed Adrian Zapata to profit from his 401(k) funds, some Peruvian property, and life insurance.
In addition to providing for his wife and kids, Zapata was a devoted husband who put in extra effort to earn more so that Collazos could get a car. Madera told City News Service that Adrian Zapata even arranged for his family to visit him in Westminster and provided assistance to his wife during her 2014 cervical cancer battle.
During the sentencing hearing, Zapata's son Renzo commented on the crime and referred to the assassin as a:
"Monster who had no regard for a human life."
Renzo added:
"He took my dad's life in the most cowardly way possible, and has showed no remorse for his actions."
3) Collazos tried to set up fake alibis
As revealed by deputy attorney Madera, Collazos was involved in the plotting of her husband’s murder with her lover. She tried to fake alibis by going to the grocery store, a restaurant, and also to her training center at the time of the murder.
When she came home, she reportedly found her husband bruised, beaten up, and dead, after which she panicked and called the neighbors and 911.
4) The murder was made to look like a burglary
As reported by CBS News, and mentioned by attorney Madera, the killer who already had the house keys, entered the house, committed the mortal deed, and then shuffled the household items everywhere to fake a robbery.
However, nothing expensive was missing from the house, which was easily interpreted by the detectives and law officers investigating this crime. This was not a burglary but a homicide.
5) A long-time love affair
Saavedra and Collazos knew each other pre-2011 and even dated for a while, after which Collazos got married to Adrian Zapata on September 10, 2011.
Their love affair continued for years even though Collazos had two kids with Adrian Zapata. He was aware of his wife's friendship with Saavedra until he got to know that their friendship had turned into a love affair. Adrian had even confronted Savendra about the same, as revealed by attorney Madera.
Even though Adrian was aware of what was happening around him, he perhaps did not see his death coming.
What are your thoughts on this case? Let us know in the comments below.
