A search for a missing California mother of three ended tragically after her remains were discovered, leading to the arrest of her husband, according to officials. The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office announced on Facebook that 44-year-old Anthony Gumina was initially arrested on an outstanding no-bail warrant for domestic violence.
Detectives simultaneously executed a search warrant in the Pleasant Valley area of El Dorado County, where they discovered what they believe to be the remains of 33-year-old Heather Gumina, his wife.
![Anthony Gumina, left, was arrested for murder after the remains of his wife, Heather Waters, were discovered Friday, officials said. (El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office)]
“Following the discovery, EDSO detectives arrested Anthony Gumina for homicide,” the sheriff’s office said. Heather Gumina – who was also known as Heather Waters – was a 33-year-old mother of three from the Pleasant Valley area, approximately 50 miles east of Sacramento.
Heather had not been seen since July 15, after being released from the hospital where she was treated for a broken collarbone. She spoke with her mother after spending the night at the hospital and expressed concerns about being released too soon. Her mother, Joanna Russel, told FOX40 that family members had always feared this outcome and were heartbroken. “We’re super sad about what happened and I don’t know if we’re ever going to be OK,” Russel told FOX40. “I miss my daughter.”
Russel described her daughter as one of the “most giving, loyal people,” and said the discovery was devastating. “I’m going to grieve for a very long time,” she told FOX40. “It’s like the world’s worst nightmare.”
The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office released a photo of Anthony Gumina after he was taken into custody. Officials stated that to protect the integrity of their homicide investigation, no further information is being released at this time.
While investigators believe they have evidence linking Gumina to his wife’s death, a family member told FOX40 he believes the 44-year-old is innocent. “I’m 100 percent positive that he didn’t do it,” Robert Shawaluk, a cousin of Gumina, said. “He did nothing wrong. He loved her. He loved his wife, and for them to arrest him when he cooperated the whole time. He did nothing but cooperate with the cops.”
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