Evaristo Ortiz Cortez dies in fatal Santa Maria stabbing

Evaristo Ortiz Cortez dies in fatal Santa Maria stabbing

Fatal Santa Maria stabbing death of Evaristo Ortiz Cortez – Obituary

Evaristo Ortiz Cortez, 44, lost his life following a stabbing that occurred on the night of May 25, 2025, in Santa Maria, California. Police officers responded to a call about a disturbance and stabbing around 10 p.m. in the 300 block of East McElhany Street.

When officers arrived, they discovered Cortez inside a nearby apartment, suffering from stab wounds. He was rushed to Marian Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

Authorities quickly identified Gustavo Hernandez, 59, as the suspect in the incident. He was found at a neighboring home and taken into custody without any resistance. Hernandez was later booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on a homicide charge, with bail set at $2 million.

The Santa Maria Police Department’s Detective Bureau and Crime Lab were involved in processing the scene and have taken over the investigation. This incident marks the city’s second homicide of the year.