GAITHERSBURG, MD – Jennifer Abigail Espinoza Orellana, a 21-year-old resident of Gaithersburg, has been arrested and charged with the homicide of 20-year-old Jose Manuel Zavala Marquez. On Sunday, at approximately 5:51 a.m., officers responded to Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center for a report of a male with body trauma.
Investigations revealed that Espinoza Orellana had an argument with Zavala Marquez at her residence. The dispute continued outside, where Espinoza Orellana allegedly stabbed Zavala Marquez in the chest. She then transported him to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
A search and seizure warrant was executed at Espinoza Orellana’s residence, yielding items of evidentiary value. She is currently being held without bond at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.
Zavala Marquez’s body has been sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an official autopsy.
The Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division is handling the investigation and has charged Espinoza Orellana with second-degree murder.