Esperanza was the beloved daughter of Rafael (Ralph) and Antonia Rodriguez. She graduated from Sparks High School in June of 1948, and was employed as a clerk at Hilp's Drug Store at the time of her death.
Esperanza was murdered as she was walking past the Crystal Bar in Sparks on the night of August 10, 1949. She was heading home from work with two coworkers, Miss Jean Martin and George Cook.
Gregorio Arellano stepped out of the bar, greeted Esperanza, and shot her in the back three times. He then turned the gun on himself, firing one shot just above his right hip. Esperanza died at the scene, while Gregorio was taken to Washoe Medical Center in critical condition.
Arellano had reportedly called Miss Rodriguez earlier that afternoon, but she refused to see him. The two never dated. Arellano had been drinking heavily for at least a day before the murder, but the act was determined to be premeditated.
Gregorio Arellano was convicted of murder, and was the first person to be executed in the Nevada State Prison's new gas chamber on July 24, 1951.
Esperanza was murdered as she was walking past the Crystal Bar in Sparks on the night of August 10, 1949. She was heading home from work with two coworkers, Miss Jean Martin and George Cook.
Gregorio Arellano stepped out of the bar, greeted Esperanza, and shot her in the back three times. He then turned the gun on himself, firing one shot just above his right hip. Esperanza died at the scene, while Gregorio was taken to Washoe Medical Center in critical condition.
Arellano had reportedly called Miss Rodriguez earlier that afternoon, but she refused to see him. The two never dated. Arellano had been drinking heavily for at least a day before the murder, but the act was determined to be premeditated.
Gregorio Arellano was convicted of murder, and was the first person to be executed in the Nevada State Prison's new gas chamber on July 24, 1951.
Esperanza was the beloved daughter of Rafael (Ralph) and Antonia Rodriguez. She graduated from Sparks High School in June of 1948, and was employed as a clerk at Hilp's Drug Store at the time of her death.
Esperanza was murdered as she was walking past the Crystal Bar in Sparks on the night of August 10, 1949. She was heading home from work with two coworkers, Miss Jean Martin and George Cook.
Gregorio Arellano stepped out of the bar, greeted Esperanza, and shot her in the back three times. He then turned the gun on himself, firing one shot just above his right hip. Esperanza died at the scene, while Gregorio was taken to Washoe Medical Center in critical condition.
Arellano had reportedly called Miss Rodriguez earlier that afternoon, but she refused to see him. The two never dated. Arellano had been drinking heavily for at least a day before the murder, but the act was determined to be premeditated.
Gregorio Arellano was convicted of murder, and was the first person to be executed in the Nevada State Prison's new gas chamber on July 24, 1951.
Esperanza was murdered as she was walking past the Crystal Bar in Sparks on the night of August 10, 1949. She was heading home from work with two coworkers, Miss Jean Martin and George Cook.
Gregorio Arellano stepped out of the bar, greeted Esperanza, and shot her in the back three times. He then turned the gun on himself, firing one shot just above his right hip. Esperanza died at the scene, while Gregorio was taken to Washoe Medical Center in critical condition.
Arellano had reportedly called Miss Rodriguez earlier that afternoon, but she refused to see him. The two never dated. Arellano had been drinking heavily for at least a day before the murder, but the act was determined to be premeditated.
Gregorio Arellano was convicted of murder, and was the first person to be executed in the Nevada State Prison's new gas chamber on July 24, 1951.
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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
ESPERANZA ROSA RODRIGUEZ
OUR BELOVED DAUGHTER
SHE WAS THE SUNSHINE OF OUR HOME
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