Missing Fresno woman’s boyfriend charged with murder. ‘Her absence leaves a void’
Two suspects have been arrested in the suspected killing of a Fresno woman who has been missing for nearly a year and a half.
Micaela Faith Navarro, 26, has not been seen since August of last year.
And now Christopher Edward Stephens, 37, and Ryan Randall Sutter, 29, have been charged in her death. Stephens, Navarro’s boyfriend, was charged with murder and Sutter was charged with accessory after the fact, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office said this week.
The DA’s Office said Navarro was killed around Sept. 1, 2023, by Stephens and he buried her body in Fresno County with the help of Sutter.
Navarro’s body hasn’t been located.
It was a tip from Crime Stopper saying that Stephens allegedly killed Navarro that led to the investigation into the disappearance, interim Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto said during a news conference Thursday.
At least 50 people were contacted by detectives following the tip.
There was also concern when her social media accounts went dark: “That was another one of the clues that detectives used to help determine she was no longer with us,” Casto said.
Missing Fresno woman’s family grieves
Navarro’s mom, Shawntee Ashberry, said the holiday season is “the time of the year she loves. The season when her voice would fill the room.”
“Her absence leaves a void that cannot be filled,” Ashberry said. “The pain of knowing we will never see her again is the wound that we carry every day.”
Shante said her daughter loved to sing.
Her dad, Michael Navarro, admitted that he “probably will never be at peace with” his daughter’s disappearance.
“I need to get us through this process,” he said.
Next court appearances
Stephens pleaded not guilty and remains in jail with no bail.
His next court appearance is Dec. 27. He is facing 25 years to life.
Sutter will be arraigned on Jan. 9.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 559-621-7000 or Valley Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867, or visit their website at www.valleycrimestoppers.org.
This story was originally published December 19, 2024 at 3:53 PM.
