Santa's Murder Spree: The Christmas Party Turned Into a Nightmare
On Dec. 24, 2008, a Christmas Eve celebration turned into a nightmare when Bruce Pardo, dressed as Santa Claus, entered his ex-wife's family gathering and unleashed a deadly attack. The event left nine people dead and a community devastated, forever marking the Covina, California neighborhood with tragedy.
A Christmas Gathering Turned Deadly
The Ortega family had gathered at their Covina home to celebrate the holiday with their adult children and their families. The evening was full of laughter and holiday cheer — until the doorbell rang. Dressed in a Santa suit, Bruce Pardo arrived at the party carrying what appeared to be gifts. Moments later, he opened fire. Chaos erupted as Pardo continued shooting inside the home, killing multiple family members.
A Plot Fueled by Revenge
Investigators later uncovered that Pardo's attack had been fueled by anger over his recent divorce from Sylvia Ortega Pardo, one of the victims. Their divorce had been finalized just days before the massacre. The financial strain from the spousal support payments, combined with Pardo losing his job, pushed him over the edge. He meticulously planned the attack to take everything away from Sylvia, including her loved ones.
A Sinister Santa
After firing his weapons, Pardo used a homemade flamethrower to douse the home in gasoline, igniting a deadly blaze that left several bodies too charred for immediate identification. While most of the Ortega family members did not survive, Leticia Ortega, one of the daughters, managed to escape with her husband and daughter, though her young daughter was wounded.
The Killer's Final Moments
Following the massacre, Pardo fled to his brother's house in Sylmar, about 40 miles away, where he took his own life. Investigators found him with severe burns on his body, likely caused by the explosion in the Ortega home. Pardo had initially planned to flee, as evidenced by the supplies in his rented getaway car. However, the burns he sustained altered his plan, and he chose to end his life.
A Holiday Forever Marked by Tragedy
The horrific events that unfolded in Covina continue to haunt the community. Bruce Pardo's Christmas Eve massacre remains one of the deadliest killing sprees in California's history, killing nine people.
Pardo left behind a trail of devastation for the surviving family members, and a reminder of the unimaginable horror that occurred on what should have been a night of celebration.
References: The Disturbing Case Of 'Santa Claus' Killer Who Massacred 9 People At Christmas Eve Party Before Burning Down Home | Man in Santa suit kills at least eight at Covina party, police say
