VALLEJO, California – A relative of one of the victims in the killing spree in California described the suspect in the crime as “practically family”.

Multiple murder suspect Efren Valdemoro has the confidence of Caridad Tablate Limpiado, sister of slain Filipina 63-year-old Segundina Tablate-Allen.

Limpiado spoke to ABS-CBN in Manila about her sister’s alleged killer.

“Parang ampon, pinag-aral siya ng aking kapatid,” said Limpiado.

Limpiado said her sister, who worked as a caregiver, took Valdemoro under her care and gave him a home for 3 years, especially during the time that he did not have a valid immigration status.

Limpiado said Allen even brought Valdemoro home to the Philippines in 2008.

Their family thought he was a nice man that treated their sister well. She said there is no way he could have killed Allen and her sister’s friend, another Filipina 60-year-old Macaria Smart.

Both women were found dead last Tuesday inside Allen’s home in Vallejo.

Limpiado said the police should look into a more likely suspect, 72-year-old Charles Rittenhouse, who police found in the house with the decomposing bodies and in possession of explosives.

Rittenhouse has denied any involvement in the killings.

In Hercules, 10 miles away from Vallejo, Valdemoro is also a suspect in the killing of 73-year-old Ricardo Sales.

Police are now saying that Valdemoro could have been triggered to kill after a fist fight took place between him, Sales and Sales’ 35-year old son, Frederick, last August 22.

The Sales father and son were tenants of Cindy Tran, Valdemoro’s girlfriend.

A police report shows that officers had to break up a brawl between Valdemoro and the Sales father and son, with Valdemoro on the losing end of the fight.

Doreen Matthews, spokesperson of the Hercules police said, “Valdemoro had written a letter and placed it on Ricardo Sales’ door, calling him a liar and accusing him of interfering in his relationship with Cindy Tran.”

Matthews said police found Valdemoro pinned down by the Sales father and son. Matthews added that Valdemoro filed a complaint of battery against Sales and his son.

Five days after the brawl, Ricardo was found bludgeoned to death in his rented home. His son, Frederick, has been missing since August 25. Police continue to search for his body at a landfill in Pittsburg, California.

Valdemoro, who died in a police shoot out last Tuesday, has no relatives in the US.

His family in the Philippines has asked the help of the Department of Foreign Affairs to bring his body home.

Valdemoro’s family wants him to have a proper burial away from the mess left behind by this apparent killing spree. Balitang America