Joseph Merical Obituary, Death; – A domestic violence incident escalated to a fatal outcome. Law enforcement responded to a domestic disturbance at West Pointe Apartments located in northwest Fresno on Saturday.
“Upon arrival, officers made contact with the victim, who informed them that her boyfriend had strangled her until she lost consciousness, and that she managed to escape the apartment with her baby to call 911,” stated Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto.
Officers attempted to enter the apartment, but found the door obstructed. Chief Casto reported that officers eventually gained entry, but the suspect, identified as 35-year-old Joseph Merical, was brandishing knives at the officers.
The police repositioned themselves and attempted to coax Merical out of the apartment.
According to Chief Casto, the suspect initially refused to comply, only emerging from the apartment several hours later after negotiations with law enforcement.
“He charged down the stairs from the second-floor apartment towards the officers, wielding two knives,” Casto explained. “At that point, they deployed less lethal ammunition, which proved ineffective, leading to the use of lethal force.”
Merical was transported to the hospital, where he subsequently passed away.
Gisela Merical, his spouse, has established a donation page to assist with funeral expenses.
On the page, she characterizes him as loyal, joyful, and full of life.
The post also mentions that Merical struggled with severe depression and mental health issues.
Action News has discovered court records indicating that the suspect was convicted of domestic violence-related offenses in 2023 and received a sentence of over three years in state prison.
“The most challenging aspect when learning about these circumstances is that it represents the worst-case scenario,” remarked Nicole Linder, CEO of the Marjorie Mason Center.
While Linder has not assisted the victim in this particular case, her organization provides support to others facing domestic disputes.
She noted that the center receives over 800 calls each month and emphasized the importance of informing those in abusive relationships that help is accessible.
“Reach out for assistance, understand that there are individuals who support you and wish to offer you the life you deserve,” Linder concluded.
