Juanita Francisco

Status:

Open

Jurisdiction:

Kern County Sheriffs Office (CA)

Offense Location:

Bakersfield, California

Summary:

Juanita Francisco, 49, was found beaten to death inside her south Bakersfield bakery, named at the time, La Especial Bakery on November 23, 2010. Forensic evidence belonging to the assailant was collected and a DNA profile was obtained from the evidence, but there was no match to a known individual in law enforcement databases. Despite extensive investigative efforts, the suspect could not be identified and the case went cold. Detective Ashley Sanchez has partnered with Othram, a private lab that works with law enforcement to identify suspects through advanced DNA technology.

Vital Statistics

Circumstances of Offense:

On November 23, 2010, Francisco was found murdered in her bakery, just days before Thanksgiving. Police responded to a call at La Especial Bakery located on Union Street in Bakersfield, California. Deputies found Juanita's body in a back storage room, and the bakery had reportedly been ransacked. She had been beaten to death. An autopsy showed the victim died of blunt force trauma to the head and the manner of death was homicide. She was found working alone at the time.

Additional Details:

Based on DNA evidence obtained early in the investigation, no match was found. Detective Ashley Sanchez has taken over the case and said the sheriff's department is working with a private lab that works with law enforcement to identify suspects through advanced DNA technology. DNA evidence was recovered at the scene, an STR profile was developed, but there was no match to a known individual in law enforcement databases. The crime was described as a 'brutal crime of opportunity.' Since the murder, the investigation has remained open with family members and community members working hard to keep Juanita Francisco's memory alive. Her children, now adults, continue to give interviews about how her loss affected them and affected the Bakersfield community. Since Juanita's murder, her family re-opened the bakery, which now operates as Juanita's Bakery. Juanita had owned the bakery since 1996. Her husband Eduardo Canul stated that the murder had been hard on the family. The couple opened the bakery in 1997 and worked long hours to make it succeed. To Greg and his younger siblings, Eddie and Gina, Juanita wasn't like a mom, she was mom. To honor Juanita's memory, Greg has founded a coat drive to gather warm clothes for Bakersfield's poor. Juanita used to regularly give away bread to hungry and homeless citizens. One customer interviewed in the wake of the killing said La Especial was 'like home' and that Juanita was 'like a mom.' Detective Ashley Sanchez has partnered with Othram, a private lab that works with law enforcement to identify suspects through advanced DNA technology. No arrests have been made.

Case Last Updated:

May 05, 2026