Man sentenced to life after killing four people and three dogs in Lancaster home

Miguel Diego Sandoval, 21, entered a Lancaster home in November 2024 wearing a mask, aiming to kill his former partner who was absent. Instead, he shot the sibling duo Janvi Maquindang, 24, and Christine Aca-ac, 29, while they lay in bed, and also killed their partners Edwin Garcia, 24, and Matthew Montebello, 23, before igniting the house. The blaze resulted in the deaths of three family dogs.

Sandoval later confessed in a recorded jail interview and pleaded guilty to multiple counts of murder, attempted murder, arson, animal cruelty and evidence destruction. During the hearing, relatives of the victims expressed grief, and the ex-partner testified about the relationship. The district attorney did not seek the death penalty, and a sentencing hearing will determine a life term without parole.