I. THE PERFECT FAMILY AND THE FINANCIAL STRAIN

They say marriage is not easy, and there is a saying that it is not like hot rice that can be spat out once eaten.

But who would have thought that the men two Filipinas chose to love in America would ultimately be their downfall? This is the tragic story of two Filipinas in our narrative today.

The first victim in our story is Nathan Joseph Villa Gomez Paet (28), a US Air Force supply technician. His wife, Michelle Paet (33), grew up in Guam, where she met Nathan in high school.

Nathan, born in Guam in 1982, loved swimming and surfing. Their friendship blossomed into a romantic relationship, and many admired their seemingly perfect relationship.

In 2000, Nathan proposed to Michelle, who happily accepted. In 2002, Nathan decided to join the United States Air Force, eventually serving during the war in Iraq.

Michelle and Nathan married in 2006 and later had four children. They moved from Guam to Las Vegas when Nathan was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base.

Nathan strived to provide a good life for his family, buying a house where they resided. When he was not on duty, Nathan worked as a security guard, but his income was still insufficient to cover all their expenses.

Michelle worked at a telemarketing company. The couple worked different shifts, alternating childcare duties. Michelle felt the need to seek higher-paying work due to their financial troubles.

More critically, Michelle felt that her husband was not giving her the attention she craved. She believed Nathan was failing to appreciate her and felt their dates and compliments had vanished.

II. THE LETHAL AFFAIR AND THE INSURANCE MOTIVE

In 2010, Michelle met Michael Rudolph Rodriguez (36) at her telemarketing company. They quickly became good friends, and Michelle felt a happiness when with Michael that she didn’t feel with Nathan.

Michael would bring her coffee daily and share music she liked. For Michelle, Michael’s personality was distinct from Nathan’s. She felt bored with her husband and began seeking a new connection.

While Michelle pursued her affair, Nathan continued his duties as a devoted father and provider. Michelle managed to conceal her relationship with Michael for several months, meeting him nearly every night when Nathan was at work.

Michelle felt Nathan failed to fulfill their family’s needs and that she lacked appreciation from her own husband. She felt unloved, stating Nathan no longer told her she was beautiful.

Michelle considered leaving the marriage with Michael but realized she stood to gain nothing from a divorce. However, she knew she would receive $400,000 USD (Php22 million) from Nathan’s military benefits and an additional $250,000 USD (Php13.8 million) from his life insurance policy if Nathan passed away.

This financial motive led Michelle and Michael to formulate a sinister plan against Nathan.

III. THE NIGHT OF THE CRIME (DECEMBER 1, 2010)

On December 1, 2010, Michelle started her shift at 5:00 PM, scheduled to end at 10:40 PM. However, she left work early, around 5:30 PM, claiming she felt unwell.

Upon returning home, she watched TV with her children while Nathan slept. Nathan’s shift was supposed to start at 11:30 PM, but his alarm failed to sound.

He woke up around 11:00 PM and rushed to shower, texting his colleagues that he would be late. He kissed Michelle and their children goodbye before heading to the garage to warm up his car.

As Nathan exited the house, Michelle immediately grabbed her phone and sent a text message. Nathan opened the garage door, and as he turned his back, two men suddenly approached him and shot him repeatedly.

The assailants quickly fled in a black sedan. Despite his injuries, Nathan managed to stand and stumble back into the house.

He collapsed on the floor just inside the door. Michelle heard the commotion, rushed to the door, and was horrified to find her husband covered in blood.

Even their children witnessed their father’s collapse. Michelle quickly called 911, reporting that her husband had been shot.

The dispatcher guided Michelle through CPR in an attempt to save Nathan. The ambulance arrived shortly, rushing Nathan to the hospital, where he was tragically pronounced deceased.

Michelle feigned shock upon hearing the news, but the question remained: Who would commit such a brutal act against an Air Force veteran, and to whom did Michelle send the text message just before the attack?

IV. THE WIFE’S CONFESSION AND THE CONSPIRACY

Police found the criminal act excessively violent, occurring in a quiet neighborhood. Nothing was stolen from Nathan, indicating that robbery was not the motive.

Witnesses confirmed hearing multiple gunshots and seeing a black sedan speeding away, with the driver turning off the headlights as they left. Nathan’s colleagues confirmed he was a kind person with no known enemies, making his murder a significant puzzle.

The family also confirmed Nathan had no debt or other women; he was a good father devoted to his family. Michelle told police she heard two gunshots and did not immediately leave the house out of fear for her children.

She claimed to have found Nathan collapsed later. She claimed she had only financial issues with Nathan and that their relationship was otherwise fine.

Police questioned Michelle about the black sedan; she admitted her coworker, Michael Rodriguez, owned one. Checking Nathan’s phone showed nothing suspicious, but Michelle’s phone revealed strange activity: she had been texting Michael just before the time of the attack.

The police shifted their focus to Michael, whose record showed two prior convictions for attempted assault (in 2007 and 2008). He owned a black sedan consistent with the witness reports.

Michael voluntarily went to the police station and denied any relationship with Michelle, claiming he had an alibi: he was with a woman named Shane at a hotel since 10 PM. Police found inconsistencies in Michael’s and Shane’s statements regarding the hotel check-in times.

On December 7, 2010, the police recalled Michelle for questioning. Michelle broke down and confessed everything: she was having an affair with Michael and told him she would get a large sum of money if Nathan passed away.

Michael became interested and demanded a cut, leading Michelle to promise him $150,000 USD (Php8.4 million) to eliminate Nathan. Michelle revealed all the details of their plan.

The police released Michelle temporarily, realizing she had been manipulated by Michael. Michelle, overwhelmed by guilt and fear, was later admitted to a psychiatric ward after suffering a nervous breakdown.

V. THE ARRESTS AND THE LIFE SENTENCE

Police confronted Michael with Michelle’s confession, but Michael shifted the blame, claiming the plan belonged to Corey Hawkins (33), whom he met in confinement. Michael claimed Corey and his girlfriend, Jessica Austin (23), were accomplices.

Michael alleged Jessica convinced Shane to provide the false alibi, telling Shane that Michael was only planning to eliminate a “bad drug dealer” for money. Shane complied in exchange for a large sum.

The police dismissed Michael’s shifting of blame and arrested him on December 8, 2010, for suspicion of murder with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit murder, and conspiracy to commit burglary. Corey and Jessica were later arrested on similar charges.

Michelle was arrested on December 9, 2010. She admitted they had planned the criminal act for two months and that she intentionally turned off Nathan’s alarm clock before the attack.

Police re-interviewed Shane, who admitted she was paid to lie and provided the full truth about the night of the crime: she was at Jessica and Corey’s apartment when Michael and Corey returned, changed clothes, burned their clothes, and then left for the motel. Shane was not charged, as she was deemed cooperative and lacked direct participation in the actual assault.

The trial for Michael began in September 2015, almost five years after the crime. Michael initially pleaded not guilty but later changed his plea to guilty in exchange for avoiding the de@th penalty.

Michael was sentenced to life confinement without parole. Corey and Jessica were also found guilty and sentenced to life confinement without parole and confinement, respectively.

In October 2015, Michelle tearfully pleaded guilty, asking for a reduced sentence to see her children. The prosecution presented overwhelming evidence, including the text message Michelle sent just before the attack (“Hurry, he’s leaving now”) and all the evidence of her affair with Michael.

Michelle was sentenced to life confinement without parole. The judge noted that Michelle should be grateful she did not receive the de@th penalty and that her victims included not only Nathan but also their four children.

Nathan’s family was satisfied with the verdict and is now focused on raising Nathan’s children in Guam.

VI. THE PARALLEL TRAGEDY OF FRANCES KENDRA LUCERO IN CALIFORNIA (2023)

Our second story took place in California in 2023, involving a Filipino-American woman who was fatally assaulted by her live-in partner in front of their child. The victim was Frances Kendra Lucero (27).

Kendra was an honor student at El Camino High School in South San Francisco, excelling in dance and volleyball. After high school, Kendra studied at Skyline College, eventually moving into an apartment with a female friend.

She developed an interest in healing crystals, selling them online as bracelets and necklaces. Kendra was devoted to her family, often participating in karaoke and cooking Filipino foods during family gatherings.

Kendra met Romel Narag (27). While his nationality was not detailed, he is believed to be Filipino-American. Kendra and Romel entered into a relationship and had two children together, residing in Kendra’s family home.

On March 6, 2023, Kendra and Romel were returning home from a gathering with their children. An argument erupted between the couple inside the house.

The dispute became heated, and Romel suddenly retrieved his personal projectile weapon. Romel discharged the weapon, striking Kendra, who immediately succumbed to her wounds.

It is believed that their two young children were inside the house and witnessed the commission of the crime. Neighbors who heard the projectile weapon’s discharge immediately called the police and ambulance.

Police quickly responded, apprehending Romel at the scene. Romel was charged with Murder and Child Endangerment and is confined in San Mateo County Jail, awaiting trial.

VII. A MOTHER’S GRIEF AND THE VOW FOR JUSTICE

The media did not detail the cause of the couple’s argument. Kendra’s family publicly demanded justice. Her mother, Lizelle, expressed her immense pain, stating that no parent should have to bury their own child.

Lizelle described Kendra as intelligent and hardworking, a motherly figure to her younger siblings. She testified to seeing arguments between Kendra and Romel but believed they were always resolved quickly.

Lizelle received overwhelming support from the Filipino community, who held a mass for Kendra days after the criminal act. The two children left behind are now in the custody of Lizelle’s family.

Romel currently awaits trial, where he could face a penalty of life imprisonment if found guilty. These cases are painful reminders of the vulnerability of women to domestic violence and the tragic consequences when partners violate trust with lethal force.