May 2, 2023 - Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office officials report that on November 18, 2022, the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department SWAT Team served an arrest warrant on a home in the Airport District in Modesto. Albert Gonzalez (41) of Modesto was wanted for assault with a deadly weapon. During this investigation, law enforcement was made aware there were possible human remains at the property. A search warrant for the property was requested and granted.

An anthropology team from CSU Chico assisted with the collection and examination of the human remains. These were determined to be partial human remains that had been dismembered and burned. The remains were identified as 25-year-old Stephanie Fagundes of Stockton. Her family had last talked to her in October of 2022, and she had been reported missing shortly after. Albert Gonzalez was charged with murder in connection to the homicide of Stephanie Fagundes.

The Sheriff's Department Major Crimes Unit is still actively investigating this case. Members of the public are urged to contact Detective Wyatt should they have any information to share. Detective Wyatt can be reached at 209-525-7091. Tipsters choosing to remain anonymous can contact Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers at 1-866-602-7463.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Source: Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office