The Murder of John Hillrich
For this case, I watched an episode of Fatal Vows. It’s season 6 episode 12, titled ‘Sins of the Heart.’
A successful businessman and father is killed in a parking garage.
Background
John Hillrich met his future wife, Nikki, while attending California Baptist University, and working at a local YMCA. John was working towards a degree in business, while Nikki was studying to become a nurse. They fell in love, got married, and had two kids together.
John was described as tall, handsome, and religious. John was also very protective of his children, and did anything he could for them.
John Hillrich
A Crumbling Marriage
With the help from Nikki’s step-father, John was able to get an entry level job at an advertising business. John was really good at what he did, and was able to quickly move up in the company.
By 2001, John, Nikki, and the kids, were able to purchase their dream home in Yucaipa, California. John would attend a lot of work events, but Nikki never went. It affected John, and he confided in his friends that he was upset by it.
While at work, John met an older woman, who was a divorced mother. The two started off as very flirtatious, but it led to something more. John hadn't told her that he was still married, and soon, Nikki knew something was wrong.
In 2006, John got a promotion, and moved to Oxnard, California. John had wanted Nikki and the kids to move with him, but Nikki didn’t want to pack up and leave again. By this point, John had moved on with his new girlfriend, and the marriage was over.
A Different Person
Nikki hadn’t known at first if her instincts were right, but discovered the affair after her family hired a private investigator.
Once again, John confided in his friends that he felt as if he was being followed. His friend told John to check to make sure that there wasn't a tracking device on his car. Sure enough, there was. John was furious, and told Nikki that they were over.
In 2010, John and his new girlfriend bought a new house in Fontana, California. The house was about 40 minutes from Yucaipa, where Nikki and the kids were still living.
In 2011, Nikki completely changed. Nikki had met two younger men from work, named David Olvera, 24, and Emilio Saldana, 22. David and Emilio worked in the kitchen of the hospital where Nikki worked as nurse.
Nikki and David began a sexual relationship, and it’s believed that they were also doing drugs together. John was upset that Nikki was changing, and bringing these types of people around their kids.
The Discovery
In May 2011, John and Nikki’s 12-year-old daughter discovered a gun in Nikki’s room. She contacted John, who was obviously mad.
John did some of his own research, and in June 2011, discovered that David had a prior conviction for unlawful sex with a minor. John made Nikki sign an agreement that she wouldn’t bring David around the kids anymore. Nikki signed it, but two months later, she was back with David.
By August 2011, John was ready to take custody away from Nikki. John would’ve done anything he could to protect his kids.
The Murder
On August 16, 2011, John and Nikki had been planning to meet at their therapist’s office.
Around 2pm, the police received several 911 calls about gunshots having been fired in a parking structure in Ontario, California.
When the police arrived, they found John Hillrich on the ground. He had been shot several times at close range. John was rushed to the hospital, but died shortly after.
The police were able to check the surveillance cameras from the parking garage. On the footage, they could see John walking to his car. While he’s walking, a truck pulled up behind him.
Luckily, a witness from the nearby Federal Department of Transportation, had been looking out the window with his binoculars. He was able to write down the license plate number of the truck. The truck belonged to a woman who had once dated David Olvera.
David Olvera and Emilio Saldana were both arrested while they were on their way to Mexico.
The Mastermind
After David was arrested, his phone was confiscated. On his phone, the police found several text messages from Nikki. David had texted Nikki a photo of John’s parking spot, with an attached message that read “I missed him.” Nikki responded that he’d get him next time.
The police also found several post it notes in Nikki’s purse. Nikki had written that John needed to die because he was making her life difficult. Nikki wrote that she’d become a better Christian, nurse, person, etc., if John was dead.
Nikki Hillrich was also arrested. On July 16, 2016, Nikki was sentenced to the minimum sentence of 26 years in prison.
David Olvera and Emilio Saldana were sentenced to 51 years to life in prison.
David Olvera, Emilio Saldana and Nikki Hillrich
FINAL THOUGHTS
My heart breaks for John’s family, especially his children. They lost their father and their mother, too. Nikki was obviously devastated over losing John, but chose the wrong way to deal with it. Nikki deserves a lot longer sentence. John’s murder was premeditated, and Nikki found two men who were evil enough to take another man’s life.
Sources
https://thecinemaholic.com/john-hillrich-murder-where-is-nikki-hillrich-now/
https://www.pe.com/2015/06/03/yucaipa-trio-convicted-in-murder-of-estranged-husband/
https://www.dailybulletin.com/2011/08/18/police-custody-battle-led-to-shooting/
https://www.dailynews.com/2011/08/18/three-charged-with-murder-in-ontario-killing/
