[MI] Before she was killed Jen Guardiola-Flores said police always took her officer husband's side

Jennifer "Jen" Michelle Guardiola-Flores was tragically shot and killed August 28, 2011 by her husband, Department of Corrections State Officer Jesus "Jessie" Flores - who then shot himself. Police had been to their home several times and it appears Jen was convinced that there was no use anymore reporting her side of the story to police - like being kicked by Jesus last June.

FROM NEWS:

... Police say they responded to the couples' home on June 18 around 3:30 a.m. in response to a domestic dispute. Investigating officers reported seeing visible injuries on Jesus' body that included several scratches. Jesus told officers that Jennifer was accusing him of cheating and was "upset at him," the report said. Jennifer, police wrote, would not cooperate with investigators and said police always take Jesus' side of the story. She said she was kicked but "no one cares," police stated. She told officers to "go ahead and get a warrant"... Police say there were several other incidents involving the couple that did not result in arrests or warrants and were not physically violent...

I can't help but wonder if Jen felt that she could call police for help and be heard - whether she and her husband could have gotten help and their lives could have been spared. So many officer's wives feel there's no place to turn. The night Jen was murdered instead of feeling she could call the police and be believed she tried to get help from Facebook but no one could save her.

FROM NEWS:

...Jennifer's family says she held down three jobs at one time and would do anything for anyone... working as an accountant, restaurant server, and factory worker... Jesus worked as a corrections officer at the Muskegon Correctional Facility for several years... He'd begun training to become a police officer and had hoped to become an officer for the Michigan State Police... It appears the couple had a volatile relationship that Jennifer Flores revealed on her Facebook page just minutes before her husband shot her. She requested help from her friends, indicating she feared her husband was out to get her and possibly physically harm her...

Jen's dad:

“My heart has a big hole in it right now and it's heavy. My eyes hurt from crying and where do you go to from here?"

HUSBAND & WIFE SHOT TO DEATH IN MURDER-SUICIDE IN MUSKEGON: Incident Began At 3 A.M. At Home In 1900 Block Of South Getty Street In Muskegon

FOX 17

Carl Gustin, Assignment Editor

August 28, 2011

[Excerpts] Two people died during a murder-suicide involving a husband and wife in Muskegon early Sunday morning. The Muskegon Police Department is investigating the shooting deaths of a man and a woman in a home in the 1900 block of South Getty Street during the incident. Jesus Flores, 36, and his wife, Jennifer Flores, 35, resided together at the home where the shootings took place. At 3 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to a reported shooting at the home. Upon arriving they were met by a 33-year-old man who stated that he was present in the home when his sister, Jennifer, and her husband, Jesus, began arguing. He told officers that during the argument Jesus had produced a handgun and shot Jennifer. The brother said when his sister was shot he turned to flee the house and heard more gunshots but was not hit... [Full article here]

SUSPECTED MURDER-SUICIDE SHOOTER WAS CORRECTIONS OFFICER

WWMT, NEWSCHANNEL 3

August 29, 2011 12:04 PM

[Excerpts] In Muskegon police are investigating an apparent murder-suicide involving a corrections officer. Jesus Flores and his wife Jennifer were found shot to death Sunday morning in their home on Getty Street. Officials tell us Jesus worked at Brooks Correctional Facility in Muskegon... The couple was recently married. Jennifer's father says they never seemed to have problems. “My heart has a big hole in it right now and it's heavy. My eyes hurt from crying and where do you go to from here," said Raul Guardiola. “I like Jessie. He was a good person. You'd never think it would happen like this." Jennifer's family says she held down three jobs at one time and would do anything for anyone... [Full article here]

PRISON OFFICER DEAD IN MURDER-SUICIDE: Jesus and Jennifer Flores found dead

WOODTV

by Leon Hendrix

Updated: Sunday, 28 Aug 2011, 7:14 PM EDT

Sunday, 28 Aug 2011, 6:42 AM EDT

[Excerpts] A Muskegon corrections officer and his wife were found dead in a home after what police are calling an apparent murder-suicide, Sunday morning. Jesus and Jennifer Flores, 36 and 35 respectively, had been arguing, Jennifer's brother told police... A police SWAT team was called to the scene in the 1900 block of Getty St. and attempted to call Jesus out of the house. They later entered the home and found the couple... Jennifer's father characterized Jesus as a 'great guy'. "Only the man upstairs knows what was going on in his head," Robert Mendiola, Jesus' brother said... Jesus and Jennifer were both parents of children from other relationships. Jesus had three children and Jennifer had two... Jesus worked as a corrections officer at the Muskegon Correctional Facility for several years... He'd begun training to become a police officer and had hoped to become an officer for the Michigan State Police... Jennifer held three jobs, working as an accountant, restaurant server, and factory worker. She was close with her mom and dad... [Full article here]

MURDER-SUICIDE VICTIM HAD WARRANT OUT: Jennifer Flores wanted for domestic violence

WOOD

By Leon Hendrix

29 Aug 2011

[Excerpts] The victim [Jennifer Flores] in a Sunday morning murder-suicide had a domestic violence warrant out for her arrest that stemmed from an incident earlier this year between her and her husband [Jesus Flores], the man police say killed her... Jesus, a state prison corrections officer also known as Jesse, shot Jennifer before shooting and killing himself... A violent incident earlier this year prompted authorities to issue a warrant for Jennifer's arrest that was active at the time of her death... In a police report obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, police say they responded to the couples' home on June 18 around 3:30 a.m. in response to a domestic dispute. Investigating officers reported seeing visible injuries on Jesus' body that included several scratches. Jesus told officers that Jennifer was accusing him of cheating and was "upset at him," the report said. Jennifer, police wrote, would not cooperate with investigators and said police always take Jesus' side of the story. She said she was kicked but "no one cares," police stated. She told officers to "go ahead and get a warrant"... With limited resources and thousands of active warrants, police say they don't actively seek suspects unless the facts of the case require such attention because of the offense's severity... Police say there were several other incidents involving the couple that did not result in arrests or warrants and were not physically violent. [Full article here]

MUSKEGON MURDER-SUICIDE UNDER INVESTIGATION; Woman's Facebook page carried frantic message moments before shooting

The Muskegon Chronicle

By Rachel Iovan

Updated: August 29, 2011

[Excerpts] ...A comment that has since been removed from Jennifer Flores' Facebook page showed a seemingly frantic post written by her from her cell phone about 2:50 a.m. Sunday — within minutes of when police said the shooting occurred. It stated, "I tried I swear I tried..... be just don't get it!!! God help me!! Cuz I swear o am gonna hurt this man....he is trying to send me to prison!!! I need my friends right now.... please come get me out this hell.....you guys have no idea where I'm at!!!" A state of Michigan online database lists Jesus Flores as a Michigan Department of Corrections employee assigned to the Brooks Correctional Facility in Muskegon. More than two hours after police arrived, about 6:15 a.m, [neighbor Melissa] Hill said she saw Jennifer Flores' mother crying and walking down the sidewalk away from the house where her daughter and son-in-law were killed. "That's when I knew it was over," said Hill... [Full article here]

MURDER-SUICIDE VICTIM ON FACEBOOK: HELP: Jennifer Flores posted online minutes before death

WOOD

Leon Hendrix

Updated: Monday, 29 Aug 2011

[Excerpts] Police say Jennifer Flores was shot to death Sunday morning, around the same time she wrote a posting begging for help on her Facebook page... Facebook shows the posting was made from a cell phone around 3 a.m. Friends immediately showed their concern. "Jen what's going on?" one friend wrote. "I am here if you need to talk," wrote another. Several hours later someone broke the news on her page. "He took her life then his own is what I just heard"... They were newlyweds -- Jesus and Jennifer married in May, family and friends told 24 Hour News 8. Both of them grew up in the Muskegon area and loved to ride motorcycles. Jennifer was close with her family, in fact her father bought a home for her and Jesus next door to his own, the same house where the shootings took place. "We worked together, we lived next door to each other," Vanessa Gaurdiola, Jennifer's sister, said. "I could never imagine this happening to her"... Jennifer's loved ones say they welcomed Jesus into their family... "She thought she found the husband that she could be with and who would take care of her and love her," Vanessa said. "I guess that wasn't the case." Still, Jennifer's family says they have no bad feelings against Jesus. "I think it was just a very, very bad thing. Bad decisions were made. I think it was just a grave accident," Vanessa said. "I don't got time for angriness," Gaurdiola said. "Angriness doesn't get you nowhere. "It was an argument that went really wrong"... [Full article here]

POLICE: WARRANT FOR WIFE IN MUSKEGON MURDER-SUICIDE

fox17online.com

Kelly Gibbs

Sun Aug 28 2011 6:45 PM

[Excerpts] Jesus and Jennifer Flores were arguing when he pulled out a gun... Police tell FOX 17 that the there had been several visits to the couple's home in recent months and that there was actually a warrant out for Jennifer Flores' arrest based on a complaint that she had assaulted Jesus back in June... [Jennifer’s father, Raul] Guardiola said he lives next door to his daughter so he could always be close to her and assist her when she needed his help. “I had just gone to bed and all of the sudden I heard two pop pops and I didn't know what it was,” Guardiola said. “My son came in and told me what had happened. I couldn't believe it so I called the police. it happened quick."... Both had children from previous relationships. As for the children, Guardiola said the grandparents would step up. “We're going to do everything we can for the children." A fund will be set up for the children in Jennifer Flores' name Tuesday at the Muskegon Co-Op Federal Credit Union on 1051 Peck Street. [Full article here]

POLICE: INVESTIGATION INTO MURDER-SUICIDE SUNDAY OF JESUS AND JENNIFER FLORES 'WRAPPING UP'

The Muskegon Chronicle

By Heather Lynn Peters

August 29, 2011

[Excerpts] Authorities are wrapping up their investigation into the murder-suicide early Sunday at a Getty Street home in Muskegon involving a Michigan Department of Corrections officer and his wife... Russell L. Marlan, an MDOC spokesman, said Jesus Flores was a state corrections officer who was hired in November 2005, assigned to the Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility in Muskegon. Marlan said Jesus Flores worked second shift, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., and had worked the night previous to the shooting... It appears the couple had a volatile relationship that Jennifer Flores revealed on her Facebook page just minutes before her husband shot her. She requested help from her friends, indicating she feared her husband was out to get her and possibly physically harm her. People at the scene said the couple married about three months ago. Funeral arrangements were pending Monday. [Full article here]

OBITUARY

MLIVE

MRS. JENNIFER MICHELLE GUARDIOLA-FLORES, age 35, died Sunday, August 28, 2011... She adored her 2 boys, enjoyed working and loved riding her Harley Davidson Sportster. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her... SERVICE Saturday, September 3, 2011, 1:00 PM at the Clock Chapel... Interment at Mona View Cemetery. VISITATION Friday, 6-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon.... Please visit www.clock funeralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book... [LINK]

OBITUARY

MLIVE

MR. JESUS C. "FLO" FLORES, age 36, died unexpectedly Sunday morning, August 28, 2011, at his home... He was outgoing, funny and a wonderful friend to many; and will be remembered for loving to ride his Harley Davidson, enjoyin... The MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL will be celebrated 10 AM Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church...Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. VISITATION will be 2-4 & 6-8 PM Thursday... You are invited to sign the family's Online Guest Book at www.sytsemafh.com... [LINK]

EXCERPTS FROM WEB COMMENTS:

...I love you dad!!! ...

...Sometimes the tragedies (storms) of life leaves us very confused and overwhelmed with hurt. Trust in the fact that God is so much bigger than any storm that we may face. Lean into God, and put your faith on His solid foundation to see you through these storms of life. Praying for those that are hurting in Muskegon...

...i love the both of them dearly. family is forever...

...Flores Memorial Run 12pm at Pop A Top Sunday, September 18th

Yesterday at 9:14am...

...to my best friend jen guardiola (flores).. may you rest in peace in heaven, i love you...

...According to some of his co-workers, Jesus was a great guy... this has stunned them all...

...To Jen's family your daughter was a amazing person full of love!! May god be with you and help you get through this!! My prayers are with you!!...

...My thoughts and heart go out to the Flores and Mendiola families and their friends and co-workers. It's heartbreaking they are having to deal with all of this...

...He murdered this woman with a gun and then turned it on himself. He knew there was a warrant out on her because he placed it. Yet they were still living together. He could have called the police and have her picked up. He could have just left the house. He had many options but he choose to take a gun and murder Jenn...

...stop calling jesse a murder. it was a freak accident...

...rip jesus and Jen!! Love you both!?...

...Is it just me or is her family unbelievably forgiving?? How can they have no bad feelings toward him?! While I believe in forgiveness, this just happened and they are calling it an "accident????"...

...People are sticking up for him because no one knows the WHOLE truth here. Her family is forgiving of Jesus, they were not pointing a finger at him. You don't know why he shot her, or what happened at all. Obviously wait until ALL the reports are out so you can then comment accordingly! Either way BOTH families lost someone they loved...

...There's a HUGE stigma, as you know, about Officers asking for help. They think that it makes them look weak...

...we all have our issues in life... but all i know is that my BEST FRIEND, and my friend are no longer with us over a petty argument. keep the ones close that you hold dear... u never know when they may be ripped out of your life...

...no matter what people say thay were both grate people and a good friend to the ones that new them thay well never be forgotin but allways missed...

...To all who need to know: The Guardiola family holds no ill will toward the Flores family or any of the extensions of thier family. When I cry over the loss I can not tell you if they are tears for Jen, Jen was my niece, or Jesus, Jesus was my nephew, I just know I miss them. When my heart broke on Sunday morning when my brother broke the news to me it broke for both of them this is not a he did she did it's a they should have done situation. I only pray that somewhere someone in an abusive relationship reads this story and maybe a live will be saved...

...we didn't know about it until it was too late....

...I am a friend of your dads. I have known your dad for 11 years. He was a good man and would do anything to help a friend...

...I am sorry for your loss and I will pray for god to help you through your pain.

[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety lethal fatality fatalities repeat hx teflon michigan state politics funeral]