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| Monday, Oct 3, 2016
josemarialucatero
Jose and Maria Lucatero, owners of Margarita's Mexican Grill in Valencia, are seen here with their award this year from SCV Elite Magazine for the best margarita in town. Photo: Margarita's Mexican Grill.
 

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s officials have identified a Saugus murder victim as Maria Lucatero, 56.

Lucatero’s body was discovered  by her husband shortly after 1 p.m. Monday in their Saugus home in the 19500 block of Castille Lane. She had been stabbed multiple times in the upper torso and was pronounced dead upon arrival of emergency responders.

Their couple’s son, Jesse Lucatero, 24, was detained for questioning and eventually arrested on suspicion of murder Monday night. He is being held at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station in lieu of $2 million bail.

According to published news reports, relatives said Jesse Lucatero suffers from mental illness.

Maria and husband Jose Lucatero are the owners of Margarita’s Mexican Grill in Valencia.

“We are so sorry to announce we lost one of our own today,” restaurant employees said on the business’ Facebook page. “The one who taught us hard work and respect pays off. Our beloved boss, bronze and brains behind the operations, chef, mother, CEO, wife, aunt, guardian, boss lady. RIP Maria!”

 

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330 Comments

  1. Near Fire Station off Plum Canyon

  2. Did you see the one about the mail too!! I reposted!!

  3. That explains the helicopter

  4. The helicopters are flying for a while now… hope they find what they are looking for

  5. I just drove over to the area and it’s all roped off with new stations police helicopters not good

  6. Kim De Rubertis Parkinson

  7. Joe Diaz says:

    Very sad, pray for this family.

  8. Amy Graham says:

    NickandShannon Frankina

  9. Mahsa Motavvef this is next door to us

  10. Stacy Brown says:

    Where is this exactly?

  11. Jessica Calderon-Gonzalez

  12. Michele Aloe says:

    Prayers for this family during this difficult time.??????

  13. Prayers for the family ??

  14. Carol Hughes says:

    Sending prayers!????

  15. David Shellenberger

  16. So sad! Sending prayers!
    Sis Laiza Boone Ronald Boone close to your place.

  17. It was the owner of margaritas in Valencia

  18. My prayers for the family. I knew Maria only as a great hostess, wonderful business owner and community partner. All of SCV mourns with the family.

  19. Horrible, praying for the family…

  20. Wen Ren says:

    Oh my. Prayers for the family as well as the community. RIP Maria

  21. This is horrible! My condolences to Maria’s family and extended family at Margaritas…

  22. My condolences to the Lucatero family.

  23. Lo siento mucho Johnny, Jeff, Jose y el resto de la familia. Les deseo pronta resignacion.

  24. Cuando estaba chica, yo le pedía a mi papa que me compara un carro “como el de Maria, un solara convertible”. .. my condolences Lucatero family. Que dios les de fuerza para perdonar y el tiempo para sanar.

  25. Blanca Arciga isn’t this where Gloria work? Was this her sister?

  26. Jorge A RodriguezRealtor

  27. MarisolMarisol ayi es a donde vas

  28. Joe Diaz says:

    RIP María and prayers to this family

  29. Deepest condolences & prayers to all.

  30. Very sad. We have gone there many times. They have both greeted us and were very welcoming. So so sad. Prayers for the family

  31. Kata Ford my heart is so sad!! ?

  32. No hay palabras de consuelo para tanto dolor solo el tiempo nos ayuda a sanarun abrazo jose y gladys hoyos

  33. Carey-Ann Duran-Liptow

  34. Lisa Sweet-Graham Nena Marquez Ochwatt

  35. This is beyond heartbreaking…May God comfort the family at this time, including the son…This is something that poor boy has to live with for the rest of his life…

  36. Sandy Fisher says:

    My prayers are with Jose and his family. Maria and Jose have always been so welcoming whenever my family went to dine at Margarita’s. Such a tragic loss.

  37. Anita Silva says:

    This is so sad. Best Mexican food in SCV

  38. The first restaurant we ate at after we first moved to Santa Clarita. Very tragic, so sorry for the family.

  39. Lorena Sands says:

    God bless your family. Our condolences.

  40. Prayers for everyone involved. May God give you the strength to help you through this difficult time. ???

  41. Oh no!! ? sending my prayers to the family. She was such a nice lady. So sorry for your loss?

  42. Kyle Adler….remember them from taekwondo?!??

  43. Joe Garel, Chelsea Cross Wilson, Val Bruyere

  44. So terrible. Sad news.
    Or condolences to the family

  45. Lety Diaz says:

    So sad prayers send to the family

  46. Jonathan Colbert damn

  47. Praying for the entire Margarita’s family. They have always been so kind and welcoming. What a tragedy. ?

  48. Wendy Chavarria Salcedo. This is so sad.

  49. Gwen Kaye says:

    My prayers are with the family.

  50. So sad. Bless Jose and RIP, Maria.

  51. This is so sad and devastating ! My prayers to you Jose and your family!!! ??????

  52. Lisa Bright says:

    Awww, Sending prayers to the family. So very sad.

  53. Melissa Parsons Barnes Savanna Claiborne Alexis Claiborne

  54. Heart breaking, wonderful lady taken too soon. Prayers for the family! Maria you will be missed!

  55. Always so sweet and welcoming. What a loss.

  56. Pérez Julio says:

    Araceli Martinez Lupiss Islas Susy Aguilar Stellin

  57. Timothy Burks did you see this?

  58. Mariza Scoglio Napoli did you know them?

  59. So sorry to hear this. So tragic. Her poor family.

  60. So sad.. Prayers to the family may they find peace in days to come.

  61. So sorry for your loss ? We’ve eaten there many times and they were always welcoming . Our condolences and prayers are with the family ?❤️

  62. Amy Graham says:

    Vickie Frankina NickandShannon Frankina

  63. God bless this family

  64. My prayers to the family, mental illness is a terrible thing?
    May she RIP

  65. SAD!! Maria was one of the nicest person. Prayers from The Champion Family.

  66. I just saw her walking at Central Park last week!! ? such a lovely person!! ?

  67. So sad!!! How horrible!!! Praying for family.

  68. Van Ha says:

    At first I would have never put the 2 incidents together but it’s this is shocking and sad.

  69. I as thinking about them all night last night. So sad.

  70. One of our favorite places to eat. Maria was so gracious and welcoming — the ultimate hostess. Her death is a real tragedy.

  71. Lois Mikos says:

    So awful and sad?

  72. Marco Bernal look…

  73. Roberto Leo says:

    Keri Leo Ken Jeffris

  74. Our thoughts and our prayers go out to this wonderful family.

  75. It’s so sad because I always recall the son taking our order and he always was so friendly but at the same time sketchy …Maria seemed like such a nice lady

  76. Kyle McGraw weren’t you friends with him?

  77. Rosie Donato says:

    Jose and Gloria my prayers are with you and cannot imagine something so awful God bless my prayers are with you??

  78. Armando Jimenez Deborah Jimenez oh no!!!! Praying for this family!

  79. We are both shocked and saddened to hear this news. Our heartfelt prayers are with our friends ar Margarita’s.

  80. Jonathan Brutsche oh no! This is the place I wanted to go to?

  81. Bernt Powell says:

    Rob PowellShirl Powell

  82. Myrna Jimenez-Parra did you see this? How sad :( She was so nice and welcoming from what I remember…prayers going out to their family..

  83. Denny NNWofLA says:

    Maria was kind and compassionate, a loving wife and mother. She worked so very hard to create this wonderful restaurant from scratch. I knew and respected her tremendously. A loss beyond words.

  84. Ana Anderson says:

    I can’t believe this news. Maria may you RIP, we will miss your smiling face.

  85. Pablo Tovar says:

    Oh no they gave me my first job when I turned 16 I would have never thought anything like this would have happend

  86. Penny Bender :-( did you see this?

  87. Betis Brg says:

    Oh wow so sad ! We went to eat last week my husband & I .
    Mis condolencias para toda
    La Familia Lo sentimos mucho Descanse en paz …..

  88. How sad. My condolences to the family.

  89. Britney Lois says:

    LaDayzia Renae Janae’ LaNique look yall

  90. Maria Smith says:

    This is sad ? both my husband & I knew Jose & Maria so very well… our condolences to the family also our prayers are with you Jose. Maria you will be missed ???

  91. Megan Lewis says:

    Katherine Farr Thorpe

  92. Emma Rose says:

    Rachel Blankenship Eduardo Godinez Linda Seifert Hazeski wtf

  93. Do Rah says:

    Elia Escobedo-Correa isn’t this where you have your events??

  94. Nicole Llere says:

    Kelly Johnson Bickford omg!

  95. Camron Keener made me think of you, I know your family loves that place as much as mine. Super sad

  96. Daisy Amaya says:

    This is just so sad…

  97. She was so kind. We love going to Margarita’s and will surely miss her presence ?

  98. So sad my prayers are with you all..

  99. How terrible. We have known them since back in The Fundangos days, they are such great people.

  100. My deepest condolences. Prayers

  101. So tragic!! They have always been so friendly.

  102. This is so devestating for sure.

  103. Really sad! I met her very nice lady

  104. Shocking! ?to the family.

  105. Liz Alvarado says:

    My condolences to the Family. We love the staff at Margarita’s. May God grant you peace and understanding during this difficult time. ??

  106. Asha Kakonde says:

    Donjay KakondeDiva Kakonde?

  107. A very sweet human being! May she rest in peace! My condolences to the family!

  108. Ricki Lieberman and Family says:

    We are so sorry! May Maria rest in peace! We have had many wonderful meals with all our friends at Margaritas Grill. Years of coming through the doors and being greeted by the entire Margarita Family! Our hearts and prayers are with you ?????

  109. Another sad story in Santa Clarita.

  110. Chinkie Paye says:

    ????oh Maria , I’m so sorry your no longer here with us . God bless you RIP and God bless & comfort your husband Jose & all the family . Antonia

  111. Muy triste situación no hay palabras para describir ….

  112. Karen Clark says:

    Love this restaurant. My condolences to the family. ?

  113. Betty Arguellez Ray Arguellez Richard Arguellez

  114. Lisa Cruz says:

    Prayers to the husband and rest of his family. How can a child kill one of his own parents.

  115. God bless this family.

  116. So very sorry for the family.

  117. Tyler Tyler Coombes

  118. Carly Joseph says:

    So very sad to hear about this. Sounds like the son was troubled ? just heartbreaking

  119. Very sad? She was always so friendly and welcoming at her restaurant. I pray for the family.

  120. So very heartbreaking. ..

  121. RIP Maria a wonderful kind person My condolences to the family

  122. Sooo sad…. Sick people in this crazy world.

  123. Woah…. Chandra Neal we were just there and I think she helped us ?

  124. Rosy Martin says:

    This break my heart!!! Maria, you will always be in my heart ❤️!!!!

  125. Kathy Horgan says:

    Geez how tragic. Prayers for the family!!!

  126. No this is just….. No

  127. We were at Margaritas on Monday around 5pm. The place was dark and solemn without her there. I didn’t know this had happened. My condolences to the family and staff. God bless her??

  128. So very sorry to read this, my heart goes out to you all, God be with you all

  129. Paula Carrasco says:

    My heart is broken for my dear friends. I have no words but I do have lots of prayers. I send all my love to José and his family.

  130. Yecenia Currie did you see this? ?

  131. Prayers for the family. RIP Maria

  132. Carmen Celis says:

    Ellos le dieron el primer trabajo a mi hija mi sentido pésame para toda la familia ?que dios le de descanso eterno a dońa maria ?

  133. Rena Tarrant says:

    So sad prayers for her husband and family

  134. Dréa Rewal says:

    Annamarie Rewal Glen Rewal

  135. So sad … Tragic … Prayers go out to the family ….

  136. Chandra Neal says:

    Cheryl Dlhos Pesterfield can you believe this?

  137. So sad, we used to go to the restaurant all he time when we lived there. Prayers to all involved.

  138. Sad deal. Super nice people.

  139. Wendy White says:

    Didn’t this just open like a month ago?

  140. Such a beautiful lady, so very sad. Sending prayers to family & friends ❤️

  141. Miriam Sánchez says:

    Wow! This is very sad! I have been there many times. What a terrible loss. My condolences to her family.

  142. Oh my Lord, prayers for them. What a horrible story.

    • Ted Ebert says:

      I can’t believe this. She was such a sweet woman that always made going to her restaurant such a pleasure. She deserves justice!!! Eye for an eye

  143. This is just too close to home! So sad! Prayers going out to family and friends!

  144. So sad ? I’ve noticed this is the only publication claiming he was booked for murder no other news media outlet is

  145. Praying for this family. Such a terrible tragedy.

  146. So sad to hear that you’re gone now. Our Condolences to the family of Mrs Maria , May God bless your beautiful soul & may you Rest In Peace. You are Wonderful woman , we love coming to their place ? & you’ll be missed ???

  147. So, sad, praying for the families

  148. Elisa Aguilar Matt Moreno

  149. Paqui Cuevas says:

    ??oh no!!?? it’s so sad ? I can’t believe my condolences to the family….what’s wrong.?? Why??the Bible says in the last days children rebel against parents.. I’m so sorry ? is very sad GOD bless everyone ??

  150. Very sad :( Rest in peace. Prayers for the family.

  151. Clara De Leon Crispi Charlie

  152. To close to home. So sad

  153. OMG! That’s mine n my son’s fav Mexican place. We were just there last Friday. My condolences to the family and what a tragedy : (

  154. Lorena Avila says:

    José no lo puedo creer ?OMG ! Que Dios bendiga a ti a tu familia ?

  155. Carlynn Kundert Weller Randy WellerShea Roldan this is where we went for Colton’s bday. So sad

  156. Maria Evans says:

    So sorry for your loss.
    Praying for the family.

  157. Mary Finch says:

    Back in 2002 I worked next door to Margaritas, many of my coworkers, including myself would go in this place. I came to know Maria and the lovely person she was. She would always greet me with her warm and friendly smile. I can’t wrap around my head around the fact she is gone and the tragic way her life ended!! I don’t know what could have caused this to happen and if it could have been prevented, however, she is gone and the loss has had a very sad and dark impact on me. If I feel this loss so deeply, I can’t begin to imagine what her family, friends and co-workers are going through! My heart goes out to those close to her and especially, to her immediate family!!

  158. Marty Thompson says:

    May god be with you i am saddened

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