Maria Guadalupe Cardenas Meza Obituary, Death – The tragic death of 43-year-old Maria Guadalupe Cardenas Meza, known as Lupe, in Goshen has deeply shocked her family and community. Friends and neighbors remember Lupe as a vibrant, friendly person who was often seen walking with her children in the neighborhood.
Irma Gonzalez, a close friend, described Lupe as a beautiful and lively woman who was beloved by many. She often took her five children—aged 19, 17, 15, 13, and 5—for walks, creating a warm and happy presence in the area.
On Friday night, Lupe was fatally stabbed in the laundry room of her home on Juniper Road. According to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect in her death is her longtime boyfriend, 33-year-old Alfonso Fuentes Montes. Lt. Brian Clower of the sheriff’s department explained that the stabbing resulted from an argument between Lupe and Montes, which ended in her death.
Lupe and Montes shared a young son, and the incident has left their four other children—who were present at the home during the attack—in a state of upheaval. A GoFundMe page set up by Lupe’s eldest son highlights how dedicated she was to her five boys, emphasizing the immense loss they now face.
The situation is particularly heartbreaking given the number of young lives disrupted by this violence. Lt. Clower noted that the impact on the children is profound, pulling at the heartstrings of those involved in the investigation. Detectives are working with Child Protective Services to ensure the minors’ safety, and family members have stepped in to help care for them.
Mental health experts stress that children exposed to domestic violence often experience long-lasting effects, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The trauma from such violent incidents can deeply affect their development and well-being, sometimes even more so than it impacts the adults involved.
Montes is currently in custody, and the district attorney is expected to review the arrest report and file charges soon. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities encourage anyone with information to come forward.
For those affected by domestic violence, help is available around the clock. In Fresno County, the Marjaree Mason Center can be reached at (559) 233-4357, while the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233 is available for individuals in other locations.