A man accused of setting a woman on fire at a 7-Eleven in Chula Vista last year, ultimately killing her, appeared in court on Wednesday.
The incident happened on Aug. 24, 2024, near the corner of Broadway and L Street. Juan Carlos Villanueva is charged with multiple crimes, including first-degree attempted murder, arson and torture.
The suspect’s ex-girlfriend Amanda Buchanan was injured and eventually died. Her co-worker was also injured in the attack.
Previous coverage:
There were five witnesses called to testify during Wednesday’s hearing. The victim’s best friend and two police officers described how they knew the victim and the tense moments when the two women were on fire at the convenience store.
“She was wrapped like a mummy. She had no face and no ears. Her hair was gone. The only thing I could see was her toes,” Alma Ogden, Buchanan’s friend, said in court when asked about seeing the victim in the hospital.
Buchanan’s family eventually took her off life support, and she died.
Police say they used license plate reader technology, among other investigative measures, to track down Villanueva, who was arrested the next morning in Redlands, California — about 100 miles north of Chula Vista.
Wednesday’s preliminary hearing is an important step in the legal process to determine if there is probable cause to move forward with the criminal case.
Villanueva is due back in court later this month.
Want more insights? Join Working Title - our career elevating newsletter and get the future of work delivered weekly.
