The murder of Tasia and William Stephens, two middle-aged adoptive parents, horrified Novato, California in December 1988. Fortunately, the eight-month-old baby who was in the bed next to where the couple was was found unharmed. Redrum: Love At Any Price on Investigation Discovery takes a close look at the Stephens’ gruesome death and thoroughly explains the terrible incident. We are here for you if you are curious to know more about the details of the case, the identity of the offenders and their current whereabouts. So without further ado, let’s get started.
Murders of Tasia Stephens and William Stephens
How did Tasia and William Stephens die?
William Stephens, 45, and Tasia Stephens, 43, had been married for 15 years. In Novato, California, they successfully operated hair salons and movie stores. However, the couple were adamant about adopting a child. When Tracy Medeiros was 17 and living in Massachusetts, she became pregnant and decided to give her child up for adoption because her boyfriend had broken up with her and she lacked the resources to care for a child. child at the time. The Stephens’ distant cousin’s ex-boyfriend introduced them to Tracy around this time.
The pregnant daughter and Tasia and William Stephens got along well, and she spent her first three trimesters at a home for young mothers in nearby Santa Rosa, Sonoma County. The couple were present for the baby’s birth and helped the expectant mother and baby choose Travis as the baby’s name. The Stephens even covered all of Tracy’s travel and medical expenses. The Stephens adopted the child despite delaying the legal requirements of the adoption process due to a backlog of cases.
Towards the end of 1988, Tracy intended to spend the holidays with her biological son. So when Novato police contacted her to let her know that the Stephens had been found shot dead in their bed on December 14, 1988, it came as a devastating shock. But the infant was safe and sound, despite being hungry and alone for around 24 hours, according to law enforcement professionals. Upon hearing the news, Tracy said, “My world has been completely devastated.” What am I going to do with the child, I wondered? “I adore him, I want him to be with me,” I thought.
Who killed Tasia and William Stephens?
At first, authorities were unable to determine the motive for the double homicide. However, Yolanda Segura, the missing maid, quickly became their prime suspect in light of the evidence uncovered at the crime site. Further investigation led to the discovery of more evidence at the San Rafael, California apartment that Yolanda shared with her lover. Detectives distributed leaflets and advertisements asking for details of the two.
A night shift worker at a Daly City, San Mateo County motel called police more than a week later to inquire about the couple’s whereabouts. Thanks to the photos broadcast on television, the motel employee was able to identify the couple who were staying there. So, on December 21, 1988, the police arrested Yolanda and her 25-year-old lover Zohelin Diaz. A 25-caliber automatic weapon was discovered in Diaz’s hands at the time of their arrest.
Although no specific reason was given, Novato police believe Yolanda told Diaz she would have been sexually harassed at her employers’ home. However, reports claimed that investigators assumed that Yolanda may have made up the story to hide the fact that the Stephens fired her. They were illegal immigrants from Guatemala named Yolanda and Diaz. Consequently, the FBI was also involved in the homicide investigation, albeit indirectly. According to reports, none of the defendants had prior convictions. However, Diaz has already been arrested for trying to enter the country illegally.
Where are Yolanda Segura and Zohelin Diaz today?
Despite the accused couple’s admission of innocence in court, the jury was not convinced. Yolanda was sentenced to 6 years in prison after being found guilty of manslaughter. Diaz received a life sentence after being convicted of first degree murder, but was later ruled to have committed suicide. Yolanda was reportedly released from prison and is now unknown, but she seems to be keeping her personal life a secret. A Marin County judge placed the child in foster care after the Stephens’ murder.
Tracy filed for custody of Travis, but the Stephens’ family objected. Superior Court Youth Commissioner Sylvia Shapiro determined on January 3, 1989 that the Stephens were not Travis’ legal parents because the adoption was still pending. Tracy received custody rights from Shapiro, on the condition that she attend parenting programs and submit monthly reports to the court for evaluation after six months. Rumor has it that Tracy worked at a state mental hospital while residing with her mother in Billerica, Massachusetts. She had arranged full-time childcare for Travis so she could continue working.
