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Suspect Who Says He 'Snapped' When Stabbing Friend To Death: 'I F---ing Hate Myself'
Lizette Cuesta was stabbed 29 times, but still managed to crawl to safety and ID perpetrators before dying.
Daniel Gross, 19, of Modesto, California is accused of stabbing 19-year-old friend and Carl’s Jr coworker Lizette Cuesta of Tracy, California, after having sex with her.
“I didn’t plan to do this at all,” Gross told KTVU in an exclusive jailhouse interview at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, “I feel like s---. I f---ing hate myself, you know? I wish I could go back in time and that this never happened."
He declined to indulge the specifics as to how or why Cuesta ended up dead. According to authorities, she died of multiple stab wounds early Monday after she was found by motorists crawling on her stomach on Tesla Road outside Livermore.
Gross’s girlfriend, Melissa Jill Leonardo, 25, was also arrested in connection with Cuesta's death. She is also an employee of Carl’s Jr.
When asked as to his girlfriend’s involvement, Gross said he’d rather not comment.
After smoking marijuana with the Cuesta, Gross said they had sex. They got into a confrontation shortly after where Cuesta is said to have allegedly elbowed him. According to Gross, he acted in self-defense. Cuesta was stabbed 29 times.
Gross said he wasn’t aware that the victim allegedly told first responders and motorists that Gross and Leonardo had both attacked her after crawling to safety.
Gross wished Leonardo a happy Valentine’s day during the interview and wanted her to know that he loves her.
Both Gross and Leonardo made their first court appearance Wednesday afternoon. The suspects did not enter a plea.
Investigators are still working to understand a motive behind the murder.
