On Wednesday, 1/7/2026 just before 8 p.m., the Garden Grove Police Department’s dispatch received a call from the Santa Ana Police Department to check the welfare of a female at an address in Garden Grove. GGPD dispatch was told the female did not show up for work and the Santa Ana PD was conducting an investigation into a possible missing person.
Within minutes after Santa Ana PD called, GGPD dispatch received a call from a residence in the area of the 10400 block of Lampson Ave., which was at the same address given by Santa Ana PD. The calling party said they were called by the victim’s family and asked to check on her. When the roommates went to check on her, they found her deceased and immediately called GGPD.
GGPD police officers responded and located a deceased female in her room. It appeared the death was NOT of natural causes.
GGPD police detectives responded to the scene to assist. During the investigation, officers learned the victim had a restraining order against a male subject named Rafael Arechiga. While the current status of their relationship was unknown, prior domestic incidents with GGPD listed them as in a relationship.
During a canvas of the neighborhood, Detectives learned Arechiga was seen at the residence earlier in the day. GGPD dispatch located a vehicle description and license plate for ARECHIGA from a previous call for service.
At approximately 12:42am on 1/8/2026, GGPD officers located the vehicle and conducted a high-risk car stop in the area of Brookhurst St. and Chapman Ave. The lone occupant, Arechiga, was detained for this investigation.
GGPD detectives continued their investigation and called in the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Crime lab and Coroner to assist. Arechiga was arrested and later booked into Orange County Jail for PC 187(a).
The GGPD is asking anyone with additional information on this case to contact GGPD Detective Camara at 714-741-5824.
This case is still under investigation and no additional details are available at this time.
Penalties faced by the suspect
In 2026, the suspect, Rafael Arechiga, faces severe legal penalties following his arrest for murder under California Penal Code Section 187(a). Based on current California sentencing guidelines, the potential penalties include:
Murder Conviction (PC 187)
- First-Degree Murder: If the killing is proven to be premeditated or deliberate, it is punishable by 25 years to life in state prison.
- Second-Degree Murder: If the killing was intentional but not premeditated, it is punishable by 15 years to life in state prison.
- Capital Murder: If “special circumstances” are proven (such as lying in wait or murder for financial gain), the penalty can be life without the possibility of parole (LWOP) or the death penalty.
- Note: While the death penalty remains a legal option, a moratorium on executions is currently in effect in California.
Additional Penalties and Enhancements
- Restraining Order Violation: Violating a protective order (PC 273.6) is typically a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. If the violation involved violence or is a subsequent offense, it can be elevated to a felony carrying up to three years in prison.
- Weapon Enhancements: If a firearm was used during the commission of the murder, California’s “10-20-Life” law can add a mandatory consecutive sentence of 10, 20, or 25 years to life.
- Three Strikes Law: A murder conviction counts as a “strike” on the suspect’s criminal record, which can double the sentence for any future felony convictions.
- Fines and Restitution: The suspect may be ordered to pay a fine of up to $10,000 and provide restitution to the victim’s family.
- Loss of Rights: A conviction results in a lifetime ban on owning or possessing firearms.