FAMILY TREE
Photograph taken around 1995
Photograph taken around 1992
Rogelio Guerra Vasquez
Birthplace: Minas de Barroteran, Coahuila, Mexico
Date of Birth: October 27, 1957
The Story of Rogelio's Parents
Juan Sandoval Vasquez & Rafaela Guerra Chavez
Juan Sandoval Vasquez and Rafaela Guerra Chavez were deeply entangled in secret lives, both married to other people when they began their relationship. According to Rogelio's Half-Sister, Maria Carmen aka Carmela, Rafaela left her first husband while pregnant with Maria due to ongoing domestic violence. Seeking safety and a fresh start, she made the difficult decision to leave her husband and children behind.
Juan, who was also married at the time, chose to abandon his wife and children to be with Rafaela. In 1953, Juan and Rafaela started a new life together and had five biological children: Rogelio, Roberto, Elsa, Juan Jr., and Ruben.
Juan’s obituary states he fathered 11 children in total, suggesting he had approximately six children with his first wife. Similarly, it's unknown to me how many children Rafaela left behind from her first marriage.
This story emphasizes the significant choices Juan and Rafaela made to leave their respective marriages. For Rafaela, this decision was motivated by the need to escape abuse and create a better life. Maria Carmen's account highlights this as part of her family’s history, underscoring the complexity of their journey.
The Irony in Family Perception
Rafaela’s decision to leave her first marriage due to domestic violence was understood and accepted by the family. However, when Sugie Lane Vasquez tried to leave Rogelio for the same reason, she did not receive the same support.
This contradiction highlights a troubling disparity in how similar situations were perceived within the family. While Rafaela’s decision to leave was seen as a necessity, Sugie’s attempt to leave Rogelio was met with resistance and a lack of understanding.
This inconsistency reflects a broader societal issue—how responses to victims of abuse often vary depending on the individuals or circumstances involved. If you’re wondering if Maria Carmen had an answer for why it was acceptable for her mother to leave but not for my mom, she did—but that explanation and what else she told me are for another time.
What I will share is the reasoning why she said Rogelio killed my mom, she stated that "he caught her in bed with a Vietnamese man". NOT TRUE, I was shocked that this was a lie she and whoever else has believed ALL these years. If you're reading this and this was told to you.. IT IS NOT TURE, ROGELIO DID NOT CATCH MY MOM IN BED WITH ANYONE, SHE WAS CAUGHT LEAVING HIM AGAIN THAT MORNING!!
Why I’m Sharing This Now
According to Juan Sandoval Vasquez’s obituary, all of his children were still alive at the time of his death in 2000. However, I found out on New Years Eve, Rogelio's sister, Maria Carmen Simon passed away November 2024. In her obituary, Rogelio’s family publicly listed him as a surviving sibling. This public acknowledgment confirms that Rogelio is alive and that his family is aware of his whereabouts.
Because this detail was included in a public record, I can legally share it here with you. Someone within his family is proud enough to list him alive, speaks volumes.
The obituary also mentions other siblings who have passed away since my mother’s murder, including Esther and Robert. This pattern of updates reinforces that the family keeps current records of who is alive and who has passed. This acknowledgment serves as confirmation that Rogelio remains connected to his family and that they continue to document these details publicly.
Family Tree for Rogelio Vasquez
Each name that is underline has a link or document associated with that person.
Parents:
Born: March 13, 1922
Died: October 8, 2000
Born: July 7, 1924
Died: November 29, 1992
According to Juan Sandoval Vasquez who passed away in 2000 all Rogelio siblings were still alive so this obituary card states “survived by 11 children”. With only knowledge of 7 siblings and not sure who Juan claim as his “children”. But let's say he claimed all 7 below, there are 4 unknown siblings in Mexico, could be more from Rafaela first marriage.
Siblings (Known):
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Estela Guerra 1950 (Half-Sister, Deceased) Rafels 1st husband
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Maria Carmen Simon aka Carmela 1953 (Half-Sister, Deceased) Rafaela 1st husband
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Ruben Vasquez 1955 (Brother, Alive) I thought Ruban was from Juan’s first marriage but going off birth years that couldn’t be correct.
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Rogelio Vasquez 1957 (Family Murder, Alive)
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Roberto Vasquez 1960 (Brother, Deceased)
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Elsa Vasquez Gonzales 1961 (Sister, Alive)
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Juan Vasquez 1963 (Brother, Alive)
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Unknown Sibling 1 (Alive/Deceased, Unknown)
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Unknown Sibling 2 (Alive/Deceased, Unknown)
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Unknown Sibling 3 (Alive/Deceased, Unknown)
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Unknown Sibling 4 (Alive/Deceased, Unknown)
This new information, while deeply painful, has fueled the fire within me to ensure my mother’s story is told. For far too long, the man who brutally took my mother’s life with his own hands has been shielded and protected, while his family chooses silence.
I refuse to carry the unbearable weight of his actions in silence. My mother’s memory deserves more than whispers, shadows and silence—it demands justice, honor, and truth. Sharing these updates is not just a step forward; it is a powerful declaration of remembrance, accountability, and the relentless pursuit of justice for her.
Can You Help?
If you know a distant family member of Rogelio’s or one of the unknown siblings in Mexico, or if you’ve heard anything about his whereabouts, I encourage you to reach out. Even the smallest piece of information could help uncover the truth and bring us closer to justice.
You can remain completely anonymous. Your courage in sharing what you know—whether it’s a conversation, a memory, or a connection—would mean more to me than words can express.