According to Chino police, at around 2:20 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to a fight which had allegedly broken out near a wedding reception. Joe Melgoza was beaten to death hours after he got married, police said. Rony Aristides Castaneda Ramirez, 28, (L) and his brother, Josue Daniel Castaneda Ramirez, 19, were arrested in the beating death of 30-year-old Joe Steven Melgoza at his wedding reception on Dec. 14, 2019. A DuckDuckGo extension in your browser, please access Newser without it: Either by removing it, whitelisting us, or using another browser. There was no word on a motive in the killing. All rights reserved, Post-Prom Fight in Palmdale Ends in Gunfire, 25-Year-Old Makes $200/Hour Without a Bachelor's Degree: I Work Less Than 6 Hours a Day', How SNL Star Ego Nwodim Brought Lisa From Temecula' to Life, Hollywood Braces for Possible Writers Strike as Talks Continue. This is the exact replica of our weekly printed paper. Promotional Rates were found for your code. A fast and unbiased roundup of whats happening in the world today. Two brothers who live in the neighborhood, later identified as 28-year-old Rony Castaneda Ramirez and 19-year-old Josue Castaneda Ramirez, are accused of killing the groom after he tried to get them to leave the reception. Officers canvassed the area and found him a block away, police said. A San Bernardino County Superior Court jury has found two brothers guilty of killing a man at his 2019 wedding reception in Chino. Two brothers who live in the neighborhood, later identified as 28-year-old Rony Castaneda Ramirez and 19-year-old Josue Castaneda Ramirez, are accused of He was there for you at anytime to give a helping hand," the GoFundMe page stated. The two brothers were arrested and booked for murder and assault with a deadly weapon. Would you like to receive our breaking news news? WebRony Castaneda Ramirez, 28, and his 19-year-old brother Josue Castaneda Ramirez were arrested and booked into West Valley Detention Center after allegedly killing They were scheduled to be sentenced on March 13 at the Rancho Cucamonga Superior Courthouse. Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. THIS SERVICE IS THE EXACT REPLICA OF OUR NEWSPAPER - PAGE BY PAGE AS IF IT WERE IN YOUR HANDS. Police were initially called to the scene in Chino around 2:20 a.m. regarding a fight and found two people, not including Melgoza, who sustained minor injuries, according to a news release from Chino police. They entered not guilty pleas in court on Tuesday. "They're a clean-cut family. On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. "We want justice for my brother and I hope these two individuals never see the light of day," he said. "I tried to fight with all my power not to do anything but I had to get my words in.". Mar 1, 2023 Rony Castaneda Ramirez, left, and Josue Castaneda Ramirez were arrested on suspicion of murder on Sunday, police say. The brothers were also found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon for attacking the brother of Melgoza's wife. Although this conviction can never undo the pain caused by two individuals actions, I hope it brings a measure of closure to the wife and loved ones of Joe Melgoza, San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson said in a statement. Rony Castaneda Ramirez, 28, and his 19-year-old brother Josue Castaneda Ramirez were arrested and booked into West Valley Detention Center after allegedly killing newlywed Joe Melgoza hours after he got married on Sunday in Chino, California, according to local police. They bring happiness to everybody. The Ramirez brothers attacked the two other injured men with a baseball bat, the criminal complaint states. Melgoza was found in the 13200 block of 17th Street by Chino police after officers responded at about 2:20 a.m. Sunday regarding a fight. The Ramirez brothers were identified as the suspects in Melgoza's murder and were arrested just before 2 p.m. Sunday at their home in the 5800 block of Chino Avenue, police said. "Joe was just trying to protect the family, and that's who he was," said a tearful Melissa Bustamante, Esther's younger sister. Police found the Ramirez brothers living just a few doors away from the reception, which was held at the home of the bride, Esther Melgoza. "Everybody was happy," said Red Valdovino, the couple's wedding decorator. KNBC reported that the pair, who lived nearby but did not know the family, . Life-saving efforts were administered by officers before Mr. Melgoza was taken to Chino Valley Medical Center in Chino. The fundraiser had raised nearly $7,000 as of Tuesday morning. Police found a large crowd at the wedding reception and two people with minor injuries. The two brothers were arrested and booked for murder and assault with a deadly weapon. The victims mother cried and was visibly upset, describing her heartache in Spanish. Police found Melgoza, dead, in a backyard of a nearby home, with blunt-force trauma to his head. Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. The sight of the two, who the family said were smiling during their appearance, was upsetting to the family, who later spoke about their experience outside the courthouse. Dustin Tomicic. They said neither Melgoza nor anyone else involved in the wedding knew who they were prior to the attack. Rony and Josue Castaneda, 31 and 22, respectively, will be sentenced in about two weeks for second-degree murder in the death of Joe Melgoza and assault with Fry most recently covered breaking news for The Times and was part of the team that was a 2020 Pulitzer finalist for its coverage of a boat fire that killed 34 people off the coast of Santa Barbara. Chino Police identified brothers Rony Aristides Castaneda Ramirez, 28, and Josue Daniel Castaneda Ramirez, 19, both of Chino, Calif., as suspects in the beating death of Joe Steven Melgoza on Dec. 15, 2019. Hannah Fry is a Metro reporter covering Orange County for the Los Angeles Times. Another Remains Jailed for It, Fugitive in Texas Killings 'Could Be Anywhere', Mom: Kidnap Scam Used AI Clone of Daughter's Voice, Man Fatally Rammed Teens' Car After Doorbell Prank, Gunman On the Run After Texas Mass Shooting, She Claimed a Kidnapping Attempt. Witnesses say the pair wanted free alcohol at the reception and got physical when asked to leave. A criminal complaint did not list a weapon used on Melgoza. When they arrived, they found two victims of battery with minor injuries. The suspects, 28-year-old Rony Castaneda Ramirez and his 19-year-old brother Josue Castaneda Ramirez, were arrested later that afternoon at their home in He Doesn't Mind, Biden's Best Lines From Correspondents Dinner, Experts Struggle to Explain Rise in Children's Brain Infections, In a First, Subjects to Be Asked to Pledge Allegiance to King. Slight chance of a rain shower. How will courts rebuke of Berkeleys natural-gas ban affect the national movement it began? She joined the newspaper in 2013 as a reporter for the Daily Pilot, a Times Community News publication. Rony Castaneda Ramirez, 28, and his 19-year-old brother, Josue Castaneda Ramirez, both of Chino, entered not guilty pleas Dec. 24 to one count of murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, court records show. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? "They're a clean-cut family. This undated booking photo provided by the Chino Police Department shows two brothers, Rony Castaneda Ramirez, left, and Josue Castaneda Ramirez who were (Chino Police Department), Joe and Esther Melgoza in an undated photo (Courtesy photo), to help raise money for Melgoza's funeral. Thanks to Steph Currys 50-point day, Warriors beat the Kings in Game 7 to advance. Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. He was there for you at anytime to give a helping hand," the GoFundMe page stated. Melgoza, 30, suffered blunt force trauma to his head during a fight that broke out in the early hours Sunday, police said. Low near 50F. 2 brothers found guilty of murdering groom at, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Total dominance: Steph Curry breaks NBA Game 7 record, leads Warriors over Kings, 2 brothers found guilty of murdering groom at California wedding party, Former Stanford preschool teacher arrested in killing of San Jose man, Five more Bay Area MS-13 members sentenced in massive RICO case, Jury convicts Fremont man of murder in case where defense argued his boss set him up to take the fall, Woman killed, man injured in Oakland shootings, Penn. Jury convicts Fremont man of murder in case where defense argued his boss set him up to take the fall Police found Melgoza in the backyard of a residence. Prosecutors say two brothers beat 30-year-old Joe Melgoza to death right after his wedding reception in Chino on Dec. 15. 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. "It's just frustrating man, Velasquez said. Welcome! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with Melgoza's funeral costs. He always had a way to make you smile. Her family told CBS2 Tuesday that the suspects had crashed the wedding. Their preliminary hearing date is scheduled for Dec. 30. Brothers Rony The arguments turned physical. Rony Castaneda Ramirez, 28, and his brother, Josue Castaneda Ramirez, 19, were arrested Sunday in Chino, Calif., and charged with murder and assault with a deadly weapon, KABC reports. NBA playoffs: When will the Warriors-Lakers series start? Family members and friends wrote on a GoFundMe page created to raise money for funeral expenses that Melgoza was the type of person who was always willing to lend a helping hand. There was an error processing your request. It was an emotional day in court on Christmas Eve for the family of a groom who was murdered just hours after his wedding earlier this month. "Just the way he looked at me all day.". BECOME A MEMBER TODAY! Anyone with additional information about the case can contact Criminal Investigations Bureau Sgt. Police found Melgoza in the backyard of a residence. Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Rony Castaneda Ramirez, 28, and his 19-year-old brother, Josue Castaneda Ramirez, both of Chino, entered not guilty pleas Dec. 24 to one count of murder and two 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. "Wonderful family," Valdivino said. I hope they know they destroyed our lives they killed a husband, a father, a son, a brother, and an honest, good man, Esther Melgoza said. Five more Bay Area MS-13 members sentenced in massive RICO case A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with Melgoza's funeral costs. Melgoza suffered blunt force trauma to his head and was transported to a hospital, where he died, according to police. Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. "Today I passed my first semester," Esther said. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news. Two brothers suspected in the beating death of a 30-year-old groom at his wedding reception last month pleaded not guilty and are due back in a West Valley Superior Courtroom Jan. 16 for a pre-preliminary hearing. Woman killed, man injured in Oakland shootings Signup today! Rony Castaneda Ramirez, 28, and his 19-year-old brother, Josue Castaneda Ramirez, have been charged with murder and held without bail on suspicion of murder The wedding crashing brothers lived near the wedding reception venue, were not family and did not know the groom, arrived without an invitation Rodney Reeds birthday was Dec. 22. The release notes that the brothers, who lived nearby, showed up uninvited to the Chino celebration for Joe Melgoza and his bride, Esther, after they were married on Dec. 14, 2019. Two brothers were behind bars on suspicion of murder Tuesday, police said, after they crashed a wedding and beat the groom to death during the reception over the weekend in Chino. (Chino Police Department) Twenty-eight-year-old Rony Aristides Castaneda Ramirez and his 19-year-old brother, Josue Daniel Castaneda Ramirez, have been When the two appeared in court in Rancho Cucamonga Tuesday, some of Melgozas family was there. Investigators identified brothers Rony Castaneda Ramirez, 28, and Josue Castaneda Ramirez, 19, as suspects in the fight and served a search warrant on their "We want justice for my brother and I hope these two individuals never see the light of day," he said. Courtesy of Chino Police Two brothers who live in the neighborhood, later identified as 28-year-old Rony Castaneda Ramirez and 19-year-old Josue Castaneda Ramirez, are accused of Loved ones say Joe Melgoza was beaten to death during his wedding reception early Sunday morning by two men who tried to crash the party. Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. He always had a way to make you smile. access for current print subscribers. NBC News notes the Castenadas were asked to leave, but they returned with baseball bats, after which an altercation ensued in which Melgoza was beaten to death. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. "Today I passed my first semester," Esther said. Thank you for signing in! Joe's bride Esther - now his widow - was there. Melgoza, who had been married hours earlier, was taken to Chino Valley Medical Center, where he died, Tomicic said. All rights reserved. Up until that time, friends described the ceremony and reception as a wonderful, happy start to what was to be a new life for Melgoza and his bride. Joe Steven Melgoza, 30, of Chino, was found in the 13200 block of 17th Street after police responded at about 2:20 a.m. Sunday regarding a fight. Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. The 30-year-old also left behind a daughter who was 11 when her dad was killed. (Read more murder stories.). How Palm Springs ran out Black and Latino families to build a fantasy for rich, white people, 17 SoCal hiking trails that are blooming with wildflowers (but probably not for long! Then something changed, 7 hospitalized after driver in stolen car runs red light in San Bernardino, police say, Barstow police investigating after officer caught on video hitting man with a baton, Northern California town on edge after second fatal stabbing in a week, Man found guilty of murdering teens who ding-dong-ditched his house, Sacramento, San Francisco mayors take shots at each others city before NBA playoff game. They lived near the home where the reception took place and might have heard the festivities that included a mariachi band, a photo booth, a bar, a disc jockey, and a place set up for dancing. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. The brothers have pleaded not guilty to murder. "Life will never be the same, said Andy Velasquez, Melgozas brother. man who killed neighbor lived with corpse for 3 days: police. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with Melgoza's funeral costs. Nobody at the reception knew the siblings and they had not been invited. Police served a search warrant and arrested the brothers after Snapchat information helped police identify the suspects, the District Attorneys Office said. Their next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 24. The second bat was never found. Please enter valid email address to continue. The suspects, 28-year-old Rony Castaneda Ramirez and his 19-year-old brother Josue Castaneda Ramirez, were arrested later that afternoon at their home. A photo Esther posted to social media showed the couple were enjoying the festivities of their special day just hours before he was killed. Two wedding crashers accused of killing a groom have been arrestedbut their motive? "Joe was a loving son, brother, father, cousin, partner, family member and friend. Crime and Public Safety | Two men who police said crashed a wedding and then beat the groom to death have been charged with murder. They're very pleasant and respectful.". A GoFundMe page to help raise money for Melgoza's funeral described him as a "loving son, brother, father, cousin, partner, family member and friend." Investigators identified brothers Rony Castaneda Ramirez, 28, and Josue Castaneda Ramirez, 19, as suspects in the fight and served a search warrant on their home in Chino about 12 hours later.