It was a case that gripped Southern California and echoed far beyond its borders: the disappearance of a young mother, the chilling footage of a husband dragging a mysterious bundle, and an international search that spanned two continents. The tragic saga of Sheylla Cabrera, a 33-year-old mother of three from Lancaster, California, has left a community in shock and authorities scrambling for justice.
On August 12, 2025, Sheylla Cabrera was reported missing to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Lancaster Station. The call set off alarm bells. Sheylla, her husband Jossimar Cabrera Cornejo, and their three young sons lived together at an apartment complex on Lancaster Boulevard, about 70 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, according to The Independent and USA TODAY.
Within hours of the report, investigators uncovered surveillance footage that would become central to the case. The video, later shared by outlets such as KTLA, showed Jossimar Cabrera dragging a large object wrapped in material—described as a tarp or bag—from the couple’s apartment complex. The sight was enough to trigger suspicions of foul play. Homicide detectives were brought in, and the investigation quickly intensified.
According to statements released by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and reported by multiple outlets, the three Cabrera children were also unaccounted for and were added to the missing persons system. Detectives began working with Mexican and Peruvian consulates, suspecting that Jossimar Cabrera, 36, might have fled the country with his sons.
As the search widened, the Montrose Mountain Search and Rescue Team scoured the rugged terrain of the Angeles National Forest. On August 16, 2025, their efforts paid off. Around 10 a.m., the team discovered an object matching the material seen in the surveillance footage, discarded over the side of an embankment. Inside, they found the body of Sheylla Cabrera. She was pronounced dead at the scene, as confirmed by USA TODAY and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The official cause of death remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The same day brought a glimmer of relief amid the tragedy: the three Cabrera children were located safe in Peru, according to The Independent and sheriff’s officials. They were placed in protective custody, sparing the family further heartbreak.
With the discovery of Sheylla’s body and the recovery of the children, attention turned squarely to Jossimar Cabrera. Authorities confirmed that he had already left the United States, and efforts began in earnest to secure his extradition. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged Jossimar Cabrera Cornejo with murder on August 21, 2025, as reported by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and corroborated by The Independent and USA TODAY. The case is being closely coordinated with South American and local authorities, with the goal of returning him to California to face prosecution.
The timeline of events paints a picture of a case that unfolded with alarming speed. On August 12, the missing persons report was filed. By August 13, investigators had discovered the damning surveillance footage. Search teams mobilized, and within days, Sheylla’s body was found in the Angeles National Forest, wrapped in the same material her husband was seen dragging in the video. The children, initially feared missing, were soon found safe in Peru. The rapid escalation from a missing persons report to a homicide investigation, international search, and murder charge has left many in the community reeling.
Law enforcement officials have been tight-lipped about the details, citing the ongoing investigation and the delicate nature of international cooperation. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has yet to release the official cause of Sheylla Cabrera’s death, and authorities have not disclosed the precise circumstances of the children’s recovery in Peru. Still, the facts that have emerged are chilling enough: a mother’s life cut short, her body abandoned in a remote forest, and a husband fleeing with their children across international borders.
The case has also highlighted the complexities of cross-border criminal investigations. As USA TODAY noted, authorities are working closely with South American officials to ensure that Jossimar Cabrera is returned to California to stand trial. Extradition in such cases can be a lengthy and complicated process, often involving negotiations between governments and multiple law enforcement agencies.
Community members in Lancaster and the broader Los Angeles area have expressed shock and sadness at the tragedy. The story has sparked conversations about domestic violence, the importance of early intervention, and the need for support systems for families in crisis. Local officials have urged anyone experiencing domestic violence or concerned about a loved one to reach out to available resources, emphasizing that help is available before situations escalate to tragedy.
For those following the case, the surveillance footage remains a haunting image—a visual record of a crime that might otherwise have gone undetected. As homicide detectives continue their investigation, they are piecing together the events leading up to Sheylla Cabrera’s death, seeking answers not only for her family but for a community desperate for closure.
The fate of Jossimar Cabrera now rests in the hands of the courts and the international legal system. Prosecutors have signaled their intent to pursue the case vigorously, and law enforcement officials remain committed to securing justice for Sheylla Cabrera and her children. The case will likely serve as a test of international cooperation in criminal matters and a reminder of the far-reaching consequences of domestic violence.
As the investigation continues and the legal process unfolds, the memory of Sheylla Cabrera endures—a mother whose life was tragically cut short, whose story has touched many, and whose family now faces the long road to healing. The hope, among all who have followed this case, is that justice will ultimately be served, and that the lessons learned will help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
