Man Who 'Couldn't Cope' with Impending Divorce Fatally Shoots Wife of 25 Years in Front of Their Children By Sean Neumann

The children of a slain California woman are speaking out after their mother was shot and killed by her estranged husband, who, according to his mother, couldn’t “cope” with her decision to file for divorce after 25 years of marriage.

Michael Rocha shot and killed his longtime wife Yesennia Rocha in front of their family on Saturday, Sept. 6, before evading police for another day, according to local KFSN, KSEE, and The Fresno Bee. The shooting took place at the family’s home in Reedley, Calif., according to the outlets.

Yesennia was 43 years old. Michael, also 43, was later shot and killed during a shootout with police a day later when officers tracked him down about 30 miles away in Woodlake, Calif., on Sunday afternoon.

Now, the Rochas’ two adult children are speaking out about the impact of their parents’ deaths.

“She was the light of our world,” daughter Kayla Rocha told KFSN about her mother. “She shined very bright. She was always there for me and my brother. She was everything to us.”

The outlet reported that Kayla was in tears as she spoke about her late mother, who reportedly filed for divorce about two months before this weekend’s deadly shooting. “I see her everywhere,” her daughter said. “I see her on a beautiful day, in a Christian worship song, in clouds. I see her in flowers and plants because she loved all of those things. I see her in the mirror because I look just like her.”

Referring to his father as “that man,” Jacob Rocha told KFSN that his dad “took everything away from us.”

“I just wish I could see her one more time, hold her one more time, tell her I love her, give her a hug,” Jacob told the outlet, adding, “I do find the littlest peace knowing that she is resting in a better place.”

Michael’s mother Rita Rocha, the children’s grandmother, said during an emotional interview with KFSN that both families are now “destroyed” because of her son’s actions. Rita told the outlet that Michael and Yesennia had been dating since middle school but were separated for the last two months after the mother of two filed for divorce.

“He couldn’t cope with her filing for divorce,” Rita told KFSN. “He didn’t want to live without his sweetheart. He didn’t want to live without his soulmate, the love of his life and he didn’t want her to live without him, so he chose the cowardly way out.”

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office said Michael fired a rifle at its officers after they tracked him down Sunday in Woodlake, according to The Fresno Bee. Subsequently, officers returned fire, striking, and killing the father of two. He was pronounced dead at the scene, the newspaper reported.

“He got into a gun battle, and he pretty much got what he deserved,” Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux told KSEE.

Reedley Police Chief Mark Ediger told KSEE that several family members tried to follow Michael once he fled the family’s home Saturday after killing his wife.

“This couple had a 20-year-old son, 23-year-old daughter who are without both of their parents within a matter of 24 hours,” Ediger told the outlet. “Just tragic, very horrific.”

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.