Chula Vista man accused of fleeing to MX after killing his wife

CHULA VISTA, Calif. – The husband accused of stabbing his wife to death in front of their young children pleaded not guilty today to murder and child endangerment.

Francisco Uriarte, 41, fled to Mexico after his wife Natalia Uriarte was killed in March 2020. According to Chula Vista police, he was captured in Mexico last May and extradited to the United States

Mexican authorities transferred the suspect to U.S. custody in San Diego last week.

“This was a unique case in which the murder occurred during COVID-19 and the courts were initially closed. The DOJ and our office have worked as closely as possible with Mexican authorities, but ultimately it takes time,” said San Diego County Assistant District Attorney Erin Casey.

According to police, Natalia, 35, was a mother of three who was killed by her husband on March 29, 2020, in their Chula Vista apartment in the 500 block of Oxford Street. Investigators say the couple's children, nine-year-old twins and a 3-year-old, were present at the time but were not physically injured.

“He stabbed her so hard and violently that he stuck a knife in her neck. The children were present and saw the incident,” Casey told the court.

She says after his wife, who was a makeup artist, was killed, Uriarte fled the scene, leaving his children behind.

“As he fled, he was initially picked up by a cousin who ultimately refused to take him across the border. “But I watched him on the phone and one of the people he was calling was connected to the victim and had left a voicemail saying he was going to kill him too,” Casey added.

She did not reveal the motive, but did provide information about the man who was threatened.

“Further details will be provided at the preliminary hearing. At that point, the incident occurred after he discovered that, as far as the investigation revealed, she had spoken to this man,” Casey said.

Uriarte had an interpreter in court, pleaded guilty and denied all charges.

Judge Rebecca Kanter said since Uriarte's escape he has been deemed a flight risk and has not set bail. She also approved a protective order banning Uriarte from any contact with his children.

“The children are safe, they were safe at the time of their murder,” Casey said.
Natalia's family was not seen in court, but many of the suspect's family members were present at the arraignment. They declined to comment.

Uriarte's preliminary exam is scheduled for January 29, 2025.