The murder of Briseida Guillen in 2021 at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, Jovanny Romo Arellanes, is the focus of the new episode of In Pursuit with John Walsh. The resident of San Bernardino was reportedly stabbed to death in her home on October 9, 2021.
Guillen had earlier obtained a restraining order against Jovanny Romo Arellanes, but he managed to show up at her place and fled after the murder. An arrest warrant for $1 million had been issued in his name in 2021.
The In Pursuit With John Walsh episode titled Darkest Hour showcases the pursuit of Jovanny Romo Arellanes. Episode 5 of Season 5 airs on June 12, 2024, at 10 p.m. EST on Investigation Discovery. The official synopsis reads:
"John joins the hunt for Jovanny Romo Arellanes, who California police say killed his ex-girlfriend; Callahan seeks answers for a family that never gave up hope surrounding a mysterious case involving alleged killer Steven Oboite."
Why is Jovanny Romo Arellanes a wanted man?
On Saturday, October 9, 2021, the San Bernardino Police Department responded to a domestic violence call at a home near North Sepulveda Avenue and 16th Street. The officers reached the place to find 26-year-old Briseida Guillen stabbed to death.
According to The Sun, the officers arrived at the scene around 1:14 a.m. local time to find Guillen with multiple upper-body stab wounds. The officers began their investigation and found their primary suspect to be Guillen's ex-boyfriend. The police reportedly mentioned in their statement:
“Witnesses identified her boyfriend as Jovanny Romo Arellanes. Through further investigation, Arellanes was positively identified as being responsible for the stabbing death of Guillen.”
Jovanny Romo Arellanes and Briseida Guillen had been dating for two years. The couple broke up six months before the stabbing death of Guillen. Their relationship was abusive and continued to be so as Arellanes stalked Guillen afterward as well.
The spokesperson of the San Bernardino Police Department, Lt. Michele Mahan, confirmed that Briseida had to acquire a restraining order against Romo Arellanes. Law and Crime reported Briseida Guillen's sister sharing:
“On Oct 9th [,] 2021 – A victim of domestic violence [,] Briseida Guillen [,] a beautiful sister, daughter, aunt and friend was tragically taken from us unexpectedly."
As Jovanny Romo Arellanes showed up at Briseida's home on October 9, she ensured to send a text to her close friends, notifying them of their unexpected meeting.
According to Fox 11 Los Angeles, Guillen's family shared that Arellanes had been out on parole. However, her friends showed up, but it was too late, as Arellanes had gotten into a fight and then killed Briseida.
The San Bernardino police had issued an arrest warrant for $1 million for the killer and have been looking for information regarding his whereabouts since. The police authorities mentioned in their press release:
“Anyone with information regarding the incident or the location of Arellanes is asked to call Detective Hernandez at 909-384-5620, or Sergeant Campos at 909-384-5613.”
Arellanes has been described as a 5-foot-10 Hispanic man weighing 190 pounds. He has brown eyes and brown hair.
Watch all the details of Briseida Guillen's murder as the new episode of In Pursuit With John Walsh airs on ID on Wednesday.