Loved ones react to arrest in Sacramento mother’s death

A Sacramento family is seeing long-awaited relief after police said a man accused of killing Angelica Bravo and taking their two young children to Mexico has been captured.Sacramento police said Camron Lee was arrested and that the couple’s children — 5-year-old Athena and 3-year-old Mateo — were found safe, in good health, and reunited with their maternal grandmother.The announcement comes nearly two years after Bravo’s death and the children’s disappearance.Friends and former co-workers said Tuesday’s news brought a mix of emotion, relief, and gratitude.“Today was the best day ever,” said Carnette Burnett, who knew Bravo. “Because as everyone’s been saying, justice is being served. And there’s no way that anybody could get away with hurting someone as beautiful as her.”At Mixed Institute of Cosmetology and Barber, where Bravo once taught, her memory remains visible. A plaque honors her near the front doors, and her photos are displayed at salon stations throughout the school.Burnett described Bravo as someone full of promise.“Angelica was bubbly, but she was like that cocoon that wanted to just crack out of that shell and be that butterfly,” Burnett said.Burnett said Bravo brought encouragement and energy to students.“What I loved about her was the energy that she brought to the students and making sure that they knew that whatever it was they were doing inside that building, she was there to help them and they were going to grow,” Burnett said.Another friend, identified as Bree, said the uncertainty surrounding the children had weighed heavily on those who knew the family.“It’s been a waiting game,” Bree said. “I feel like nerves have been on edge the whole time because we wanted to make sure that everybody was safe.”According to Sacramento police, Bravo was found dead in July 2024 at her home in North Sacramento. Investigators said Lee, Bravo’s ex-boyfriend and the father of the children, was suspected of taking Athena and Mateo to Mexico after Bravo was killed.During a Tuesday news conference, authorities said the children were found in Lee’s custody and brought back to California.“We are also relieved to announce that the children were found in his custody,” authorities said during the briefing. “They’ve been brought back, and they have been reunited with their maternal grandmother.”Burnett said learning the children had been found safe was overwhelming.“Oh, my God. You know what? I’m still shaken. I am still shaking because it was just by the grace of God that those children came home,” Burnett said.Bree said the children’s return has lifted a burden from loved ones.“We don’t have that weight over our shoulders anymore,” she said.Burnett said the children’s safe return is what matters most.“I know he’s been caught and justice is going to be served,” Burnett said. “But just knowing that those babies came home to their family, that was the best part ever.”Co-workers said they have stayed in touch with Bravo’s family and are continuing to honor her memory, including through a backpack drive held in her name.Lee is being held in jail in San Diego and is expected to be returned to Sacramento, where he faces murder and gun charges.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

A Sacramento family is seeing long-awaited relief after police said a man accused of killing Angelica Bravo and taking their two young children to Mexico has been captured.

Sacramento police said Camron Lee was arrested and that the couple’s children — 5-year-old Athena and 3-year-old Mateo — were found safe, in good health, and reunited with their maternal grandmother.

The announcement comes nearly two years after Bravo’s death and the children’s disappearance.

Friends and former co-workers said Tuesday’s news brought a mix of emotion, relief, and gratitude.

“Today was the best day ever,” said Carnette Burnett, who knew Bravo. “Because as everyone’s been saying, justice is being served. And there’s no way that anybody could get away with hurting someone as beautiful as her.”

At Mixed Institute of Cosmetology and Barber, where Bravo once taught, her memory remains visible. A plaque honors her near the front doors, and her photos are displayed at salon stations throughout the school.

Burnett described Bravo as someone full of promise.

“Angelica was bubbly, but she was like that cocoon that wanted to just crack out of that shell and be that butterfly,” Burnett said.

Burnett said Bravo brought encouragement and energy to students.

“What I loved about her was the energy that she brought to the students and making sure that they knew that whatever it was they were doing inside that building, she was there to help them and they were going to grow,” Burnett said.

Another friend, identified as Bree, said the uncertainty surrounding the children had weighed heavily on those who knew the family.

“It’s been a waiting game,” Bree said. “I feel like nerves have been on edge the whole time because we wanted to make sure that everybody was safe.”

According to Sacramento police, Bravo was found dead in July 2024 at her home in North Sacramento. Investigators said Lee, Bravo’s ex-boyfriend and the father of the children, was suspected of taking Athena and Mateo to Mexico after Bravo was killed.

During a Tuesday news conference, authorities said the children were found in Lee’s custody and brought back to California.

“We are also relieved to announce that the children were found in his custody,” authorities said during the briefing. “They’ve been brought back, and they have been reunited with their maternal grandmother.”

Burnett said learning the children had been found safe was overwhelming.

“Oh, my God. You know what? I’m still shaken. I am still shaking because it was just by the grace of God that those children came home,” Burnett said.

Bree said the children’s return has lifted a burden from loved ones.

“We don’t have that weight over our shoulders anymore,” she said.

Burnett said the children’s safe return is what matters most.

“I know he’s been caught and justice is going to be served,” Burnett said. “But just knowing that those babies came home to their family, that was the best part ever.”

Co-workers said they have stayed in touch with Bravo’s family and are continuing to honor her memory, including through a backpack drive held in her name.

Lee is being held in jail in San Diego and is expected to be returned to Sacramento, where he faces murder and gun charges.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel