On November 22, 1999, eight-year-old Michael Caro and his brothers Xavier Jr., 11, and Christopher, 5, were found shot in their Santa Rosa Valley, California, home. Their mother, Socorro Cora Caro, was discovered critically injured from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was airlifted for surgery to remove bullet fragments from her skull. Dr. Xavier Caro, the boys’ father, returned home that night and found the children’s bodies.

Authorities treated the deaths as domestic violence and quickly charged Cora Caro with the murders. Prosecutors said the killings were committed out of revenge against her husband amid a failing marriage. At trial the defense blamed Dr. Xavier Caro, alleging he framed his wife, but a jury convicted Cora Caro of first-degree murder and she was sentenced to death; the judge described the killings as willful, premeditated, and committed with malice aforethought.

The aftermath included a divorce filing and a wrongful-death suit by Dr. Caro, and a court decision that Cora Caro’s share of the couple’s assets be used to reimburse Ventura County roughly $307,000 for her public defense. If anyone knew the family or has information about the events leading up to that night, please share what can help clarify the case.