City of York homicide suspect was livid over infidelity and infrequently carried a gun, criticism says crime
Luca Robinson | Wisconsin State Journal
A 71-year-old was arrested Monday in Delaware for the murder of a woman in the city of York earlier this year, authorities said.
Jose Luis Gonzalez Sr., of Waterloo, is charged with first-degree manslaughter in the death of Dora Gonzalez-Zarate, 39, a farm worker who was found at her home with a fatal gunshot wound to the head on May 24, according to court records. Gonzalez went to Delaware days after the murder, despite authorities seizing guns from his home and investigating his possible links to the 39-year-old’s death.
A criminal complaint was filed against Gonzalez Friday for the murder of Gonzalez-Zarate, which was sealed Friday and unsealed Tuesday.
Investigators began investigating Gonzalez the day the victim’s body was found by her brother-in-law.
According to the complaint:
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Witnesses working with Gonzalez-Zarate allegedly saw Gonzalez’s vehicle in front of the trailer she was living in hours before her body was found. The two had a romantic relationship.
Other witnesses told investigators that Gonzalez was angry with Gonzalez-Zarate for cheating on him and that Gonzalez once played with a gun in her apartment around her children. Gonzalez-Zarate’s son also told investigators that Gonzalez walked around with a pistol holstered at his waist and “appeared dangerous”.
That night, authorities monitored Gonzalez’s Waterloo residence and later dragged him over to Jefferson County on Highway 26. During the traffic stop, Gonzalez, who was traveling with his wife and grandchildren, denied having been at Gonzalez-Zarate’s apartment. Cell phone records later pulled by investigators revealed that Gonzalez’s phone was at Gonzalez-Zarate’s home between 10:40 a.m. and 11 a.m. that day, about 2½ hours before her body was found. Text messages between the two days before the murder showed Gonzalez-Zarate telling Gonzalez that she was afraid of him. The 39-year-old wrote to him: “I hope that I will not be killed.”
Gonzalez-Zarate said someone followed her last night and feared for her life because she “had to do something” for her children.
On May 25, authorities searched the Gonzalez home where they found eight firearms, six of which were sent to the Wisconsin State Crime Lab for testing.
Days after the murder, and despite law enforcement’s continued interest in his possible connections to the crime, Gonzalez left Wisconsin to travel to Delaware with his family.
After finally finding a probable cause for Gonzalez’s arrest, Dane County authorities traveled to Delaware to arrest him Monday. The 71-year-old declined to contest his extradition to Wisconsin and is scheduled to be returned to Dane County, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
He was being held at Sussex Correctional Institution in Georgetown, Delaware.
Authorities are asking anyone who knew Gonzalez-Zarate or was in contact with her in the weeks before her death to contact the sheriff’s office at 608-284-6900.
Remembering the 1996 fire that destroyed Madison’s Hotel Washington
Hotel Washington before the fire
The front of the Hotel Washington on West Washington Avenue in Madison before the fire.
JOSEPH W. JACKSON III, State Gazette
Club de Wash before the fire
The Club de Wash was the venue for concerts at the Hotel Washington. The Hotel Washington was destroyed by fire in 1996. This photo, released earlier this year, shows alt-rock trio Ben Folds Five performing a sold-out show at the venue.
CAROLYN PFLASTERER – State Gazette
Fire in the Washington Hotel
Fire engines were deployed on West Washington Avenue on February 18, 1996 to help fight the Hotel Washington fire.
JOSEPH W. JACKSON III, STATE JOURNAL
Fire in the Washington Hotel
A crowd gathers on West Washington Avenue around 8 a.m. on February 18, 1996 to watch as a violent, fast-moving fire engulfs the Hotel Washington. The fire department was called at around 6:15 am and additional firefighters arrived at 6:28 am.
Joseph W. Jackson III, State Gazette
Fire in the Washington Hotel
The Hotel Washington was destroyed by fire on February 18, 1996.
Archive of the state newspapers
Fire in the Washington Hotel
Smoke from the burning Hotel Washington dotted the Madison skyline on the morning of February 18, 1996. Madison’s old depot is on the bottom left. The Dane County Mental Health Center is on the bottom right.
Scott Seid, State Journal Archives
Hotel Washington in ruins
Firefighters try to put out the fire at the Hotel Washington after most of the building collapsed on February 18, 1996.
COURTESY OF WISCONSIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY – ID#112728
People watch as the Washington Hotel bursts into flames
A small group of people watch as a fire destroys the Washington Hotel on February 18, 1996.
COURTESY OF WISCONSIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY – ID#112724
Fire in the Washington Hotel
Firefighters at the Washington Hotel fire on February 18, 1996.
The capital time
Fire in the Washington Hotel
Firefighters battle the blaze at the Washington Hotel.
fighting the fire
The Hotel Washington burned down on February 18, 1996.
Image 76261 from the Wisconsin Historical Society
Delete hotspot
Amidst the charred debris and ice-covered trees and fences, a Madison firefighter extinguishes a hot spot near the remains of the Washington Hotel on FEb. 19th, 1996.
Scott Seid, State Journal
friends hug
Friends embrace as they tour the remains of the Hotel Washington on February 18, 1996.
Capital Times Archives
Ice cold water
The Citgo gas station next to the Hotel Washington becomes an icicle palace.
The capital time
Fire in the Washington Hotel
Fire hoses play on the rubble of the historic Washington Hotel on February 18, 1996.
Capital Times
Fire damage in the Barber’s Closet
A fire on February 18, 1996 destroyed the Hotel Washington, including the Barber’s Closet.
COURTESY OF WISCONSIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY – ID#112723
Hotel Washington flowers
Among those mourning the loss of the Hotel Washington on February 19, 1996 were two people who left flowers on a fence surrounding his remains. The card reads ‘Dear Hotel, Dear Rod’s & Barber’s Closet & New Bar. We love and miss you. Kay & Shelley.”
Scott Seid, State Journal
Burned out hotel with a flag
A rainbow flag, the symbol of gay and lesbian identity, flies over the charred remains of the Washington Hotel on February 20, 1996.
Capital Times Archives
Vigil at the Hotel Washington
Sue Filo, Amy Udelhofen and Mandy Woods, left to right, joined more than 500 people in front of the Capitol for a vigil for the Hotel Washington on February 19, 1996.
Joseph W. Jackson III, State Gazette
Hotel Washington service
Rev. Diane Reistroffer of the University United Methodist Church leads friends of the Hotel Washington to a song and memorial service on February 18, 1996.
Capital Times
fire investigator
Fire inspectors examine the ruins of the Washington Hotel.
The capital time
Save what they can
Company employees at the Hotel Washington load everything they could salvage into a U-Haul truck on February 19, 1996.
Scott Seid, State Journal
Steps of the Washington Hotel
A set of steps is all that remains of the burned and wrecked Hotel Washington on March 6, 1996, where an emptied ashtray caused the $2 million fire on February 18, 1996.
Carolyn cobbler, State Gazette
Front page of the State Journal, February 19, 1996
Front page of the State Journal, February 19, 1996
State Journal reporting February 19, 1996
State Journal reporting February 19, 1996
Reporting in the State Gazette on February 19, 1996
Reporting in the State Gazette on February 19, 1996
Trump Hotel, 1906
A view across a dirt road to the Hotel Trumpf, 636 W. Washington Ave. The entrance is at the corner of the building to the crossroads. Originally called the Madison House, the wooden hotel caught fire in 1906 and was rebuilt as a brick building by owner EG Trumpf and renamed the Hotel Trumpf. In 1916 the hotel was sold to August Harbort and renamed the Hotel Washington.
Image 109446 from the Wisconsin Historical Society
Hotel Washington in 1935
Exterior view from the street of the Hotel Washington, 636 W. Washington Ave., on April 21, 1935.
Image 4118 of the Wisconsin Historical Society
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