Mariana Franco
Age 23 · San Fernando, California
Crime Year
2014
Offender
Alexander Hernandez ("The Valley Killer")
Sentence
Five consecutive life terms in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 483 years to life
This victim's offender could become eligible for release under the proposed regulations.
In San Fernando, as Mariana Franco, 23, and her parents were on their way to Mass, Hernandez pulled up next to their car and opened fire, fatally shooting Mariana and wounding her parents. This was the first murder of the day on his August 24 crime spree.
Alexander Hernandez murdered 5 people and attempted to kill 11 others. Hernandez committed a series of random murders and attempted murders across the San Fernando Valley over several months. Prosecutors described him as a thrill killer who targeted victims without any apparent connection to him. He also shot and killed multiple pets during his violent spree.