Marriage Turns Deadly

On Valentine's Day in 1999, Daniel Perez did not give his wife a traditional gift of chocolates, jewelry or even a nice dinner. Instead, police say, Perez led his wife to their garage where he tied a noose around her neck to demonstrate his control. According to cops, it was just a scare tactic. But months later, she would truly experience the wrath of Daniel Perez.

In April of 1999, Perez and his wife, Anabella, had been separated for approximately three months. Perez and Anabella met to discuss the conditions of their separation in the Southgate area of Los Angeles County. According to Anabella, the meeting turned violent and Perez eventually threatened her with a gun. Perez made it very apparent that he was not going to let her leave him -- divorce was not an option. Anabella calmly convinced Daniel that they had to go to his place. She told him she needed to drive her car, and he could follow in his. Perez agreed and Anabella saw a way out of this dangerous situation.

Perez followed her in his own car through the streets of Southgate. Anabella frantically called the police on her cell phone and tried to get to a police station while Perez was chasing her. She eventually stopped at a busy intersection, jumped out of her car and tried to get help. Perez chased down Anabella on foot and shot her in the head in front of shocked bystanders at a local gas station. He then walked casually away from the scene. Anabella was transported to a local medical center where she miraculously survived her wounds.

Perez Arrested and Charged

The Southgate police tracked down Perez, and he was arrested.  He was charged with attempted murder, but before the trial could begin, Daniel allegedly threatened the lives of Anabella, her family, even Southgate police officers.  Anabella was placed in witness protection and guarded by police.   She did not come in contact with Perez until the trial for her attempted murder.

Perez Kills Wife's Father, Then Flees

During the week of August 26, 1999, the trial was continuing for the attempted murder of Anabella Perez. Anabella's father, Carlos Vara, testified against his son-in-law in court that day, but he was unaware of the fatal consequences. At approximately 3:00 a.m. on August 27, 1999, a masked intruder broke into Carlos Vara's home in Fontanta, CA where Carlos, his wife, and six children were sleeping. Carlos awoke to strange noises and confronted the intruder in an attempt to protect his family. The intruder shot Carlos multiple times, backed out of the residence and fled. Sadly, Carlos died at the scene.

Later that morning, Daniel Perez failed to appear in court for his ongoing trial. His bail was revoked, and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest. Bravely, Anabella testified against her former husband, and Daniel was found guilty of the attempted murder of his wife in absentia.

Similarly, investigators in Fontana, CA revealed that Daniel Perez was believed to be  the masked intruder that shot and killed Carlos Vara. According to law enforcement officials, Perez intends on committing further violent acts against Anabella, her family, as well as against any law enforcement officer that tries to capture him.

Daniel Perez has been a fugitive since the cold-blooded murder of Carlos Vara and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Suspected Killer Extradited, Awaits Trial

A man convicted in absentia for the attempted murder of his estranged wife and accused of the shooting death of her father was back in the Southland Friday following his extradition from Mexico.

Daniel Perez was returned to US authorities after losing a yearlong battle to block his extradition. 

Local and federal officials said they would provide more details of the case at a downtown Los Angeles news conference on March 30, 2007.  They will be joined by Perez's estranged wife, Anabella Vara, who survived Perez's attack on her.

Perez is accused of firing seven shots at Vara's father, Carlos Vara, killing him after breaking into his Fontana home the day after he testified against Perez in connection with the attack on Anabella Vara.  Perez faces trial in San Bernadino County in the Carlos Vera slaying.

Authorities are trumpeting Perez's extradition as a another success stemming from increased cooperation with Mexican authorities.  According to the US Embassy in Mexico, he is the 31st fugitive extradited to the United States this year. 

AMW Fugitive Wanted For Murder Caught In Mexico

Daniel Perez - a man accused of murder who's been on the run for more than seven years - is now behind bars. Mexican officials located Perez in Mazatlan and took him into custody January 23, 2006. Perez was accused of killing his ex-wife's father while on trial for attempted murder in 1999. But, while out on bail, Perez skipped town. He was convicted and sentenced in absentia to 33 years in state prison for the attempted murder of his ex-wife.

Police tracked Perez to Cancun, Mexico, where the wanted man was selling timeshares. They finally arrested him in Mazatlan, where he was living with his new wife and child. Mexican officials took Perez into custody without incident.