A woman who strangled her aunt in Chula Vista during an argument over housework pleaded guilty in Chula Vista Superior Court Tuesday to second-degree murder.
Elizabeth Maria Memea, 37, will be sentenced later this year to 15 years to life in state prison for the February 2022 killing of 52-year-old Leticia Hernandez.
Chula Vista police said the victim was found dead inside her East Prospect Street home after her family members requested a welfare check when Hernandez couldn’t be reached for more than 24 hours.
Officers searched the house and found Hernandez dead underneath a pile of clothing in her bedroom, police Lt. Dan Peak said at the time of Memea’s arrest.
The lieutenant said Hernandez had been fatally assaulted after getting into a dispute with her niece over cleaning the home.
“During the argument, Memea … attacked Hernandez by choking and eventually killing her,” the lieutenant said.
Memea is due to be sentenced on Dec. 11.