On Friday, February 6, 2009, at approximately 9:50 a.m., homicide detectives arrested 23-year-old Rueben Larez for the murder of Gerardo Valdez.

On November 20, 2008, family members reported Gerardo Valdez missing. Valdez was last seen in October of 2008. On January 20, 2009, detectives responded to Costa Brase Court in Sacramento to serve a search warrant connected to the missing person investigation of Valdez. On February 6, 2009, homicide investigators obtained information that led to the discovery of a body in Butte County that is believed to be Gerardo Valdez but has not been positively identified.

On February 6, 2009, the Career Criminal Apprehension Team (CCAT) arrested Rueben Larez without incident as he was leaving a north Sacramento house. It is believed that Larez murdered Valdez in October of 2008 as a result of his dislike for him. At the time of the murder, Valdez was dating Larez’ mother.