Just before 11 PM on Friday, May 3, 2024, Sacramento County Sheriff North Patrol Deputies responded to a residence on the 4900 block of Hillridge Way in Fair Oaks to the report of an injured male who was heavily bleeding. Deputies arrived on scene and discovered an unresponsive adult male, later identified as 41-year-old Vitaliy Zaytsev, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Fire Department personnel arrived moments later and pronounced Zaytsev deceased at the scene.

Based on their investigation, Sheriff’s Homicide Detectives learned that Zaytsev was seated inside his vehicle, parked on the driveway of his home. The suspects arrived at the victim’s residence in a separate vehicle moments after Zaytsev’s arrival. One of the suspects then exited their vehicle and fired three rounds, striking the victim.

Homicide Detectives identified three suspects who planned and carried out the murder of Zaytsev. With the assistance of Boise FBI, Canyon County Sheriff’s Office (Idaho), Caldwell Police Department (Idaho), and Idaho Probation and Parole, Michael Espinosa was arrested on May 6 and Miguel Esquibel on May 8 for parole violations, both in the city of Caldwell. Homicide Detectives booked Espinosa and Esquibel at the Canyon County Sheriff’s Jail.

On May 9, Homicide Detectives obtained murder warrants for Espinosa, Esquibel, and the third suspect, Jeannette Nunes. Nunes and Zaytsev are believed to have been in a previous dating relationship. Detectives from the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau located and arrested Nunes in San Jose. Nunes was booked at the Sacramento County Main Jail for murder and conspiracy, where she remains in custody ineligible for bail. She is scheduled to appear in court on May 13. Both Espinosa and Esquibel will be extradited to Sacramento County.

Sergeant Amar Gandhi
Sheriff’s Spokesman