California man who tortured, killed girlfriend and locked ex in closet is sentenced

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (TCN) -- A 24-year-old man will spend 50 years and eight months to life behind bars after torturing and killing his girlfriend, who was found with "degrading words newly tattooed on the center of her chest."

The Ventura County District Attorney's Office announced Saul Nava's sentencing guidelines on Dec. 4 after a jury previously convicted him of first-degree murder, aggravated mayhem, torture, kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, three counts of inflict corporal injury to current/former spouse/cohabitant/fiancé, and possession or control of child pornography.

According to prosecutors, on Dec. 24, 2021, Nava called law enforcement after he had beaten and tortured his girlfriend, Alisen Takacs-Escobar, for days in their apartment. Ventura County Sheriff's Office deputies responded and located Takacs-Escobar deceased with injuries throughout her body, including severe bruising, a laceration to the top of her head, and a new tattoo on her chest. Authorities apprehended Nava at the scene.

Inside their residence, deputies recovered tattoo equipment, baseball bats, a hammer, and a screwdriver, which prosecutors said were all used to harm the victim. According to the district attorney's office, officials also found videos on Nava's phone that were taken before Takacs-Escobar's death, which "show Nava taunting her and displaying no concern for her worsening condition."

During the investigation, authorities reportedly learned Nava had abused his ex. Prosecutors said he "met the additional victim when they were teenagers, and their relationship escalated quickly." According to the district attorney's office, Nava "confined her to a closet and beat her." She reportedly tried to escape, but Nava noticed and threatened to harm her with a knife until she went into his car. In the summer of 2021, prosecutors said Nava began a relationship with Takacs-Escobar, and the abuse against the other victim ended.

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