California Man Kills Wife, Poses Her on Sofa, and Claims ‘Mommy Ruined Christmas’

On Christmas morning in 2011, a tragic incident unfolded in Anaheim, California, leaving two young sisters, aged three and eight, in shock. Their mother, 26-year-old Za’Zell Preston, was found slumped on the couch with sunglasses placed over her eyes by her stepfather, who claimed, “Mommy ruined Christmas, she got drunk and ruined Christmas.” However, the truth was far more sinister—Za’Zell was dead, murdered by her husband, William Wallace, the night before.

After attending a Christmas Eve party, Wallace had inflicted fatal blunt force trauma to Za’Zell’s head. Disturbingly, the eight-year-old daughter was coerced into helping him remove glass shards from her mother’s body. The following morning, Wallace moved Za’Zell’s lifeless body from the bedroom to the living room, propping her up on the sofa and instructing the girls to open their presents.

When the police arrived after Wallace called 911, they found Za’Zell still on the couch. She was later declared dead at the hospital. In a cruel twist, Za’Zell had been pursuing education to become a domestic-violence counselor, likely reflecting her own experiences with Wallace, who had a history of violence against her.

During Wallace’s trial, evidence revealed a pattern of abuse. Relatives recounted how he was controlling and had threatened Za’Zell multiple times. On the night of her death, witnesses reported hearing arguments, and another neighbor claimed to have seen Wallace handling what looked like a body.

Despite Wallace’s defense attorney arguing that Za’Zell’s death was accidental, the testimony from the couple’s daughter painted a grim picture of the events. She recalled Wallace dragging her mother and putting her down as if she were merely asleep, despite knowing she was cold and lifeless.

Ultimately, Wallace was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. At the sentencing, Za’Zell’s mother expressed her heartbreak and called for mercy to be withheld from her daughter’s killer.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911. For those who can reach out safely, consider contacting a trusted friend, family member, or a domestic violence hotline. Resources like this article provide support and information for individuals in similar situations. Also, Make a Mom offers insight on home insemination, and Hopkins Medicine is a great resource for pregnancy and fertility-related information.

Summary

This article recounts a harrowing domestic violence case where William Wallace murdered his wife, Za’Zell Preston, on Christmas Eve and posed her on the sofa for their children to see. The trial unveiled a history of abuse and manipulation, ultimately leading to Wallace’s conviction and sentencing.