Visalia woman shot in alleged murder-suicide dies

July 25, 2009 Salena Gonzalez's organs will be used to help eight patients BY GERALD CARROLL gcarroll@visalia.gannett.com The Visalia woman shot this week in what police called a suicide-murder attempt died Friday at Kaweah Delta Medical Center, hospital officials said. Salena Gonzalez's organs were immediately harvested on behalf of eight people, a family spokeswoman said. All or part of five organs the liver, kidneys, heart and pancreas were involved, Jennifer Lucio said. "The family of Salena Gonzalez wants everyone to know [about] the life she is giving others even when she herself is no longer alive," Lucio said Friday evening. Gonzalez, 22, was shot once in the head Tuesday afternoon in an apartment in the 2300 block of West Sunnyside Avenue in west Visalia. The body of a former boyfriend, Earl Mitchell, 23, of Visalia was found next to Gonzalez. Police believe Mitchell shot her with a 9mm handgun, then shot himself in the head. The couple began dating about four years ago and were separated at the time of the shootings, police said. They shared custody of a 3-year-old son, who was outside the apartment when the 5 p.m. incident occurred. Gonzalez was there to pick up her son, police said. Gonzalez was "effectively brain-dead" on Wednesday, Lucio said. The time of death was 2 p.m. Friday, when the organs were harvested, said Beth Nelson, Kaweah Delta patient-care coordinator. Funeral arrangements for Gonzalez are pending. Details are being handled by the Salser and Dillard Funeral Chapel in Visalia, Lucio said.