The ex-husband of a Santa Ana woman beat her to death and now could get the death penalty

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A Lake Forest man has been charged with murder for beating his ex-wife to death with a tire iron after she arrived at her job as a nanny in Irvine. The woman died three weeks after the attack.

Omar Velazquezhuar, 45, of Lake Forest, has been charged with one felony count of murder and one felony enhancement of lying in wait to commit murder. The charges make Velazquezhuar eligible for the death penalty.

On February 26, 2021, Velazquezhuar is accused of attacking Dora Maria Rosas Moreno, 48, of Santa Ana, repeatedly in the head with a tire iron after she parked her car to go to her job as a nanny. Velazquezhuar fled the scene, leaving Moreno in critical condition.

Irvine police captured and arrested Velazquezhuar in the attack. On March 1, 2021, prosecutors charged Velazquezhuar with attempted murder.

Moreno died from her injuries on March 17, 2021 and charges were upgraded to murder. Velazquezhuar and Moreno have two adult children together.

Velazquezhuar is scheduled to be arraigned on April 16, 2021 in CJ1. He is currently being held without bail. 

“Our hearts go out to the loved ones of Ms. Moreno as they grapple with the loss of a mother, friend, and caregiver,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “This is an unspeakable act of violence that cost an innocent woman her life. While the heartbreak and pain caused by this depraved act will never go away, we will ensure justice is carried out.”

Senior Deputy District Attorney Mark Geller of the Family Protection Unit is prosecuting this case.

GoFundMe for the family of the victim.