Calif. man convicted of torturing, killing girlfriend who had 'degrading words' newly tattooed on chest

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (TCN) -- A 24-year-old man has been convicted of torturing and killing his girlfriend, as well as confining his ex-girlfriend to a closet.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced Oct. 15 that a jury found Saul Nava guilty of nine felony counts, including the first-degree murder and torture of his girlfriend, Alisen Takacs-Escobar. He was also convicted of kidnapping and torturing a previous girlfriend, who survived.

On Dec. 24, 2021, Nava reportedly called 911 after he had beaten and tortured Takacs-Escobar in their apartment. Deputies responded and found Takacs-Escobar deceased with apparent injuries all over her body. Prosecutors said she sustained severe bruising, a large laceration to the top of her head, and "degrading words were newly tattooed on the center of her chest." Officials apprehended Nava at the scene.

According to the district attorney’s office, during a search of the apartment, deputies found tattoo equipment, baseball bats, a hammer, and a screwdriver that were all used on the victim. Investigators reportedly found Nava’s cellphone at the scene and saw that he had recorded videos hours before the victim’s death showing "Nava taunting her and displaying no concern for her worsening condition."

During the investigation, prosecutors said officials learned about an ex-girlfriend who had survived Nava’s abuse. The other victim reportedly met Nava when they were both teenagers, and "their relationship escalated quickly." According to prosecutors, "Nava brought her into his home, confined her to a closet, and beat her."

Nava allegedly threatened her with a knife when she tried to escape. At 17 years old, the other female victim reportedly got pregnant, and Nava "punched her in the stomach and convinced her to get an abortion."

The district attorney’s office said Nava punched the second female victim in the face, choked her, and also secretly filmed them having sex. Nava began dating Takacs-Escobar in the summer of 2021, and the abuse against the second female victim stopped.

Senior Deputy District Attorney David Russell said, "Although this result cannot erase the immeasurable pain the defendant inflicted on the victims and their families, we hope that this brings some measure of closure to see him held accountable for his horrific crimes."

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