Victor Farias convicted of murdering mother of his children in Bakersfield stabbing
A Kern County jury found Victor Farias Jr. guilty of first-degree murder after he stabbed Yolanda Rojo 69 times in front of their two young daughters.
Bakersfield man guilty of first-degree murder after 69-wound attack on partner
A Kern County jury has convicted Victor Farias Jr. of first-degree murder, child abuse, and resisting arrest following the fatal stabbing of 30-year-old Yolanda Rojo at her Bakersfield home, bakersfieldnow.com reports.
The verdict was delivered on 2 October 2026. The jury found that the killing was wilful, premeditated, and deliberate, and additionally found true that Farias was armed with a knife at the time of the attack.
Attack on College Avenue
Shortly before 10 p.m. on 25 March 2026, Bakersfield Police officers responded to a domestic dispute at the 7000 block of College Avenue. On arrival, they found Rojo on the floor with a faint pulse, covered in blood and suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was transported to Kern Medical, where she was pronounced dead.
The coroner determined that Rojo had sustained 69 sharp force injuries to her head, neck, and back, along with 23 stab wounds and numerous defensive wounds on her hands and arms. Three of the stab wounds were delivered with sufficient force to fracture her skull and neck.
Children witnessed the killing
Rojo and Farias shared two daughters, aged six and four, who were present throughout the attack. As she was being stabbed, Rojo called out to the six-year-old for help. The child attempted to dial for assistance using her mother's blood-soaked phone, but Farias snatched it from her hands.
Rojo then urged the girl to run to a neighbour. A doorbell camera recorded the victim's final screams as the child fled the apartment. Farias pursued the six-year-old in an effort to prevent her from raising the alarm before ultimately fleeing the area, driving east on Highway 58 toward Tehachapi.
Crash and capture in the mountains
During his flight, Farias sideswiped a lorry approximately one mile west of the Tuck Road exit and crashed his vehicle into an embankment. He then disappeared on foot into the Tehachapi Mountains. Following an extensive search, law enforcement located him in Tehachapi on 26 March 2026. He resisted arrest and provided officers with a false name.
Prosecutor statement
Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer said Farias had acted "believing he could silence her and conceal the truth," adding that "through the courage of her young children and the evidence recovered at the crime scene, Farias was ultimately found guilty of her premeditated murder, ensuring that Yolanda and her children obtained the justice they deserve."
Sentencing scheduled
Farias is due to be sentenced on 2 November 2026. He faces up to 25 years to life in prison, plus an additional year.
The DA's office noted the verdict carries particular significance given that October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Kern County Family Justice Center provides free services, including safety planning, housing assistance, and restraining order support, available to walk-ins Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Further information is available at kcfjc.org. Victims of domestic violence can also contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
Source: Irish Independent