Juan Vallejo Corona, infamously known as the Machete Murderer, was a Mexican labor contractor in California convicted of the brutal murders of 25 migrant farm workers in 1971. This case remains one of the deadliest serial murder cases in U.S. history and highlights the vulnerability of transient laborers in the agricultural industry.
Early Life
Juan Corona was born on February 7, 1934, in Autlán, Jalisco, Mexico. He migrated to the United States in the 1950s and worked various jobs before becoming a labor contractor in Yuba City, California. Corona’s early life was marked by mental health struggles, including a diagnosis of schizophrenia, which required hospitalization in the 1950s.
Discovery of the Bodies
In May 1971, the bodies of 25 men were discovered in shallow graves on farms along the Feather River near Yuba City. The victims, all transient laborers, were found with deep machete wounds and signs of severe trauma. The discovery sent shockwaves through the community and initiated one of the largest investigations in California’s history.
Investigation and Arrest
The investigation quickly focused on Juan Corona due to several key pieces of evidence:
- Employment Records: Corona’s meticulous records showed he had hired many of the victims.
- Physical Evidence: A search of Corona’s home revealed bloodstained clothing, a machete, and a ledger containing names corresponding to many of the victims.
- Witness Testimonies: Witnesses recalled seeing Corona in the vicinity of the gravesites.
Corona was arrested on May 26, 1971, and charged with 25 counts of murder. The prosecution’s case was bolstered by the overwhelming physical evidence and Corona’s connection to the victims through his work as a labor contractor.
Trial and Conviction
Corona’s trial began in September 1972 and lasted until January 1973. The defense argued that Corona’s brother, Natividad, who had a history of violent behavior, could be the actual murderer. However, the jury found Corona guilty of all charges, and he was sentenced to 25 consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.
In 1978, Corona’s conviction was overturned on appeal due to inadequate legal representation. A retrial in 1982 reaffirmed his guilt, and he was once again sentenced to 25 life terms.
Life in Prison and Death
Corona spent the rest of his life in prison, consistently maintaining his innocence. He was denied parole multiple times. On March 4, 2019, Juan Corona died of natural causes at the California State Prison, Corcoran, at the age of 85.
The case of Juan Corona remains a stark reminder of the dangers faced by transient laborers and the importance of rigorous investigative and legal procedures. The mass graves uncovered in Yuba City left a lasting scar on the community and emphasized the need for better protection and oversight for vulnerable populations.