A Marine is being charged with murder in connection with the death of his wife in California after being arrested on Sunday.
Marine Cpl. Carlos Zamudio, 23, brought his wife, Savannah Encke, 21, to the emergency room with severe injuries during the early hours of Jan. 5, according to a news release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office. Despite life-saving measures, she succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.
Detectives with the Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division Homicide Unit allege that Zamudio had wounds to his face and was responsible for the injuries leading to Encke’s death, according to the news release issued Monday evening.
Zamudio was arrested approximately 10 minutes after authorities arrived at the hospital, the news release and jail records indicate.
“1st Marine Division is aware of the arrest of one of our Marines, U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Carlos Zamudio, by San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department on Jan. 5,” 1st Lt. Colton Martin, a spokesperson for the unit, told Military.com in an emailed statement Wednesday.
San Bernardino County records indicate Zamudio appeared in San Bernardino County Court in Joshua Tree on Wednesday. He is currently being held at the West Valley Detention Center with bail set at $1,050,000.
According to the Marine Corps, Zamudio enlisted in 2020 and was assigned as a transmission systems operator. He was last promoted to corporal in 2022.
“The circumstances surrounding the incident leading to the arrest are currently under investigation, and division leadership is engaged and committed to supporting local authorities on this case,” Martin added.
The news release did not disclose the nature of Encke’s injuries or the specific events that precipitated them. A spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department declined to offer additional information about the case, citing the “active and ongoing investigation.”
On Friday, Encke’s father, a freelance professional wrestler who goes by the stage name “ENCKE” and the moniker “Schlag Sie Nieder” (“Beat ‘em Down”), alleged that his daughter was beaten to death with a frying pan.
“My 21-year-old daughter, Savannah Encke, was murdered by her new husband, who was a Marine,” he said in a social media post. “He beat her to death with a frying pan.”
The grieving father also announced plans for a candlelight vigil and memorial services.
“There will be a Candlelight Vigil today at 5 p.m. in Highland, CA. The Going Home Ceremony will be on January 28th at 11 a.m. at Mt. View Mortuary in San Bernardino,” he wrote. “Unfortunately, people really take advantage in these times, and the services, burial, etc., are running north of $26,000… I’m not begging, but if you can give ANYTHING, please do…”
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to assist with funeral expenses: gofund.me/934de8f3.
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