CHULA VISTA, Calif. — The husband accused of stabbing his wife to death in front of their young children pleaded not guilty to murder and child endangerment today.
Francisco Uriarte, 41, fled to Mexico after wife Natalia Uriarte was killed in March 2020. Chula Vista Police say he was captured in Mexico last May and extradited back to the U.S.
Mexican authorities transferred the suspect to U.S. custody in San Diego last week.
“This was a unique case that the murder happened during COVID 19 and the courts were closed at the beginning. The DOJ and our office worked as closely as we could to work with Mexican authorities but ultimately it takes times,” said Erin Casey, San Diego County Deputy District Attorney.
Police say Natalia, 35, was a mother of three children who was killed by her husband in their Chula Vista apartment in the 500 block of Oxford Street on March 29, 2020. Investigators say the couple’s children, 9-year-old twins and a 3-year-old, were present at the time but not physically harmed.
“He stabbed her so hard and so violently that he left a knife through her neck the children were present and witnessed the incident,” Casey said in court.
She says after is wife, who was makeup artist, was killed, Uriarte fled the scene leaving his children behind.
“As he fled he was picked up initially by a cousin that cousin ultimately refused to take him across the border. But did observe him making phone calls and one of the people that he called had been connected to the victim and left a voicemail that he would kill him as well,” added Casey.
She did not reveal the motive but gave insight about that man who was threatened.
“More details will come out at the prelim hearing at this point the incident did occur after he determined she was speaking as far as the investigation revealed with that man,” said Casey.
Uriarte had an interpreter in court and plead guilty and denied all allegations.
Judge Rebecca Kanter said since Uriarte fled he is considered a flight risk and set no bail. She also approved a protective order that will not allow Uriarte to have any contact with his children.
“The children are safe they've been safe and secure at the time of her murder,” said Casey.
Natalia's family was not seen in court but many of the suspect's family members were there for the arraignment. They declined to comment.
Uriarte’s preliminary exam is scheduled for January 29, 2025.