Revenge Seen as Motive in Slaying of Trial Witness

A man on trial for trying to kill his wife was still being sought by Fontana police Saturday for questioning in the death of his father-in-law, who was murdered hours after he testified in the man’s trial, police said.

Carlos Vara, 47, was shot to death in his Fontana home by a masked gunman early Friday in what police say may have been a retaliation killing.

Vara testified Thursday in a Norwalk courtroom in the attempted murder trial of his daughter’s estranged husband, Daniel Perez.

Vara’s daughter, Anabella Perez, was shot in the head April 9, allegedly by her husband, Daniel. The suspect has been free on $1-million bail.

On Friday, Vara struggled with a masked intruder who had crawled into the house through a window about 3 a.m., authorities said. He was shot several times and died at the scene, police said.

At first police thought the murder was part of a home invasion robbery, but they revised their theory when they learned he had testified against his son-in-law just hours before.

In a phone interview, a woman who identified herself as Anabella Perez said police told her that her estranged husband is the prime suspect in her father’s slaying.

“Nobody knows where he is at,” she said.

Perez did not show up at his trial Friday. The judge revoked his bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest. The case is expected to go to the jury Monday.