Divorce isn’t easy for anyone involved. Making the difficult decision to end your marriage comes with a lot of consideration, but for some people, they know it’s the only way forward. One California woman, however, lost her life after deciding to get divorced. Her husband of 25 years, Michael Rocha, allegedly had strong feelings about their marriage ending. But instead of dealing with his feelings privately, he shot and killed her. Then, he lost his life as well. Their adult children and other family members, who were there when it happened, are deeply in mourning.
Michael Rocha allegedly shot and killed his estranged wife, 43-year-old Yesennia Rocha on September 6, 2025, KSEE reported. Her 43-year-old husband reportedly shot her 10 times, and she was declared dead at the scene. Family, including the couple’s two children, were present at the time of the incident.
After the shooting, Rocha left the scene. Some relatives began following him alongside police, but none were able to catch him.
Rocha was located around 10 a.m. September 7, the Fresno Bee reported. He led authorities on a pursuit, firing a rifle at deputies from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, they said. When he stopped his truck, he got out and continued shooting multiple rounds.
Deputies began firing back, ultimately shooting Rocha, who was declared dead at the scene.
“He got into a gun battle, and he pretty much got what he deserved,” Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux told KSEE. “Shots were fired out the window at pursuing deputies,” he explained. No deputies were injured during the shoot-out.
According to Boudreaux, “our officers didn’t come out here seeking to shoot him.” Another gun was found in Rocha’s car after he was shot and killed.
Reedley Police Chief Mark Ediger also spoke with KSEE about the killing. He explained that Michael Rocha shot Yesennia Rocha while she sat in a car outside a family gathering. He walked up to the car, and fired inside.
“She was struck multiple times,” Ediger said.
Although police are investigating what led to the man shooting his wife, they shared that in August she had filed for divorce after 25 years of marriage and the pair were separated. “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. Just tragic, very horrific,” Ediger shared.
After the unexpected loss of both of their parents, their children have spoken out.
“She was the light of our world,” 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.”
Her brother Jacob agreed. “I just wish I could see her one more time, hold her one more time, tell her I love her, give her a hug, but that man took everything away from us,” he told KFSN, referring to his father.
Michael Rocha’s mother, Rita Rocha, also spoke with the outlet, keeping her face off camera. “My son was the world to me, and their mom was the world to them and now both families are destroyed,” she said through tears.
“He couldn’t cope with her filing for divorce,” Rita Rocha explained. She revealed her son “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.”
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help with funeral costs. “Yesennia was deeply loved by family, friends, and everyone who had the blessing of knowing her,” the fundraiser reads. “Her absence leaves a hole that can never truly be filled.”
