Fabio Evelio Gomez

Case overview

Fabio Evelio Gomez was sentenced to death on June 5, 2003. He was convicted in Maricopa County CR 2000-090114 for First Degree Murder of Joan Rachelle Morane, committed on or about December 2, 1999, and he was sentenced to death by lethal injection. He was also convicted on other counts in the same case: Kidnapping, Burglary First Degree, and Sexual Assault.

Timeline

• December 2, 1999 — The Chandler Police Department received a noise report of a man beating a woman possibly coming from apartment 232 at 1283 W. Parklane BI.
• December 2, 1999 — Officers received a missing person's report of Joan Morane, who resided at 1283 W. Parklane BI., Apt. #234.
• December 2, 1999 — Investigation determined that Fabio Gomez lived at apartment #232 and was an acquaintance of Joan Morane.
• December 2, 1999 — At approximately 04'00 hours officers made contact with Fabio Gomez outside his apartment carrying a deflated air mattress.
• December 2, 1999 — At approximately 05'30 hours officers observed what appeared to be blood on the edge of the air mattress inside Gomez's vehicle and a red stain on a trash dumpster near the apartment.
• December 3, 1999 — A female body identified as that of Joan Rachelle Morane was found deceased in a trash dumpster in the apartment complex within a few feet of the victim's front door.
• June 5, 2003 — Gomez was sentenced for the listed counts, including death by lethal injection.

Background

On June 5, 2003, a Supreme Court of Arizona opinion referenced CR-03-0199-AP ADC#177075 and included sentencing information for Fabio Evelio Gomez.

Fabio Gomez was described as an inmate on death row in relation to the case.

The offence

First Degree Murder (Count 1)

Fabio Evelio Gomez was convicted of First Degree Murder of Joan Rachelle Morane. The offence was committed on or about December 2, 1999.

At sentencing on June 5, 2003, Gomez was sentenced to death by lethal injection for Count 1.

Kidnapping (Count 2)

Fabio Evelio Gomez was convicted of Kidnapping committed on or about December 2, 1999. At sentencing, he received 21 years for Count 2.

Burglary First Degree (Count 3)

Fabio Evelio Gomez was convicted of Burglary First Degree committed on or about December 2, 1999. The sentence for Count 3 was listed as unknown.

Sexual Assault (Count 4)

Fabio Evelio Gomez was convicted of Sexual Assault committed on or about December 2, 1999. At sentencing, he received 14 years for Count 4.

Investigation

On December 2, 1999, the Chandler Police Department received a noise report of a man beating a woman possibly coming from apartment 232 at 1283 W. Parklane BI. Officers responded but were unable to make contact with anyone at this location.

Later on December 2, 1999, the Chandler Police Department received a missing person's report of a Joan Morane who resided at 1283 W. Parklane BI., Apt. #234.

During the investigation, it was determined that Fabio Gomez lived at apartment #232 and was an acquaintance of Joan Morane.

At approximately 04'00 hours officers made contact with Fabio Gomez outside his apartment carrying a deflated air mattress. Gomez stated to the officers that he and his girlfriend were moving and he was packing some of their belongings in their car.

When questioned about packing at that time of day, Gomez stated he had to watch their son during the day time.

At approximately 05'30 hours officers observed what appeared to be blood on the edge of the air mattress which had been placed inside Gomez's vehicle and a red stain on a trash dumpster near the apartment.

When officers re-contacted Fabio Gomez at his apartment they observed what appeared to be blood stains on the carpet.

During the search of apartment 232, investigators found what appeared to be blood stains in the living and dining room areas. In the hallway and bathroom vanity area, numerous areas of blood stains were found, including the floor, walls and door. A metal dumbbell weight with red stains consistent with blood was also found.

Arrest

No separate arrest event is provided beyond officers’ contact with Fabio Gomez at his apartment on December 2, 1999.

Trial

The record provided does not include trial proceedings, verdict language beyond the count convictions, or evidence presented at trial.

Sentencing

On June 5, 2003, Fabio Evelio Gomez was sentenced for the following in Maricopa County CR 2000-090114:

• Count 1, First Degree Murder (of Joan Rachelle Morane) — sentenced to DEATH by Lethal Injection.
• Count 2, Kidnapping — sentenced to 21 years.
• Count 3, Burglary First Degree — sentence unknown.
• Count 4, Sexual Assault — sentenced to 14 years.

Outcome

Joan Rachelle Morane was found deceased in a trash dumpster in the apartment complex within a few feet of the victim's front door on December 3, 1999. Autopsy results were cause of death, multiple blunt force trauma -homicide.

Other details

The deceased was identified as Joan Rachelle Morane. The case record described blood appearing on the deflated air mattress edge, a red stain on a trash dumpster near the apartment, and blood stains observed in apartment 232 including the living and dining room areas, hallway, and bathroom vanity area, along with the floor, walls, and door.