Porterville man sentenced to life for killing his wife with their children in the room

A Porterville man was sentenced to life in prison for killing his wife.

Leonardo Nacoa, 34, was found guilty in Tulare County Superior Court for second-degree murder of his wife, as well as three counts of felony child abuse.

The gory incident happened in December 2012.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, Nacoa and his wife were arguing before he shot her with a shotgun at point blank range in the head.

Their 2-year-old daughter was lying on the bed next to her mother when the shooting occurred, while their 1-year-old son was only feet away in his crib.

Both children were covered in blood when police arrived, authorities said.

Immediately after the shooting, Nacoa left the children alone in the apartment and fled to Mexico. He surrendered to law enforcement a day and a half later.

Nacoa must serve 46 years of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

This story was originally published March 6, 2020 at 8:19 PM.