FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Suspect Yessenia Estrada

IN-CUSTODY

On July 13, 2025, at approximately 3:58 AM, San José Police Department Patrol Officers responded to a report of a structure fire at a commercial building in the 200 Block of North 27th Street in the city of San José. Upon arrival, Officers learned that the structure fire was likely caused by arson. SJFD Arson investigators responded to the scene to assist.  

The preliminary investigation revealed that an employee, who was expected to be inside the building at the time of the fire, was unaccounted for. Due to the structural instability, a full search for potential victims could not be safely conducted. However, multiple indicators suggested a victim may still be inside. As a result, the San José Police Department Homicide Unit responded to the scene and worked jointly with SJFD Arson to investigate the incident.

Homicide Detectives quickly identified the arson suspect as Yessenia Estrada and obtained a warrant for her arrest.

On July 14, 2025, suspect Estrada was apprehended by Patrol Officers in San José and subsequently booked into the Santa Clara County Jail for murder and arson. 

Also on July 14, 2025, members of the SJPD Crime Scene Unit, along with members from SJFD Urban Search and Rescue, and the Office of the Medical Examiner located a deceased victim inside of the structure. 

The identity of the victim will be released by the Santa Clara County Office of the Medical Examiner.

This incident is being investigated as the City's 14th homicide of 2025.

Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Barragan #4106 and/or Detective Harrington #4365 of the San José Police Department’s Homicide Unit via email: 4106@sanjoseca.gov and/or 4365@sanjoseca.gov, or by calling 408-277-5283

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