Christmas Day Tragedy: Husband Sentenced for Murdering Za’Zell Preston After Years of Abuse
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A California man has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for the brutal murder of his wife, Za’Zell Preston, a tragedy that unfolded on Christmas Day in 2011. The case, marked by years of documented domestic abuse, culminated in a horrific scene where Wallace allegedly staged Za’Zell’s body and encouraged their children to open presents beside her corpse.
A Nightmare Behind the Festive Facade
It should have been a joyous Christmas for Za’Zell Preston, 26, and her three children – a seven-week-old baby boy and two daughters from a previous relationship. Their Anaheim, California apartment was decorated for the holidays, filled with gifts and the promise of a perfect festive season. However, behind the smiles, Za’Zell was living in fear, trapped in a violent and controlling relationship with her husband, William Wallace. Friends and family helplessly witnessed the escalating abuse over the preceding three years, despite Za’Zell’s repeated forgiveness of her attacker, even after he threatened her life.
History of Violence and Broken Promises
The cycle of violence began to escalate publicly in 2008 when Wallace was arrested and served 45 days in jail for battery against Za’Zell. Following his release, he was placed on probation and ordered to attend a treatment program. Za’Zell sought further protection by obtaining a restraining order, but Wallace violated it, leading to a second imprisonment. Despite his promises of change during visits behind bars, the abuse continued upon his release in the summer of 2011, when he moved back in with Za’Zell and her children. A seemingly idyllic social media post from July of that year, showing the couple kissing with the caption “Lovebirds for life,” starkly contrasted with the reality of their situation.
Determined to break free, Za’Zell enrolled in college, pursuing a degree to become a domestic violence counsellor, just weeks away from graduation as Christmas approached.
The Horrifying Discovery on Christmas Day
The nightmare reached its devastating climax on Christmas Day, December 25, 2011. At 9:30 a.m., Wallace called 911, claiming his wife needed medical attention. Paramedics arrived to find Za’Zell slumped on the sofa, surrounded by a scene of utter chaos. Blood stained the walls, holes were punched through them, a door was ripped from its hinges, and a glass table lay shattered on the floor. The three children were present, unaware of the tragedy that had unfolded. Za’Zell was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
A Calculated Cruelty
Following Wallace’s arrest, investigators uncovered the horrifying details of the night before. The couple had attended a Christmas Eve party, and an argument erupted during the walk home, with neighbours reporting sounds of violence. Wallace brutally beat Za’Zell, dragging her inside when she attempted to escape. Her eldest daughter witnessed the horrific assault, watching as Wallace shoved her mother into the glass table, causing severe injuries. Wallace later falsely claimed he was “defending himself,” a claim dismissed by investigators. The violence continued in the bathroom, where Za’Zell sustained a fatal head injury after being dropped by Wallace.
Instead of seeking help, Wallace committed an act of unimaginable cruelty. He dragged Za’Zell’s body into the living room, propped her upright on the sofa, and placed sunglasses over her eyes. He then told the children, “Mommy got drunk and ruined Christmas,” and encouraged them to open their presents beside her lifeless body, even filming the disturbing scene.
Years of Abuse Laid Bare at Trial
It took nine years for Wallace to face justice. The trial revealed the full extent of the years of abuse, with prosecutors stating he had threatened to kill Za’Zell for three years and ultimately “made good on those threats” on Christmas Day. Testimony revealed Za’Zell had sought help previously, with her grandmother recounting finding her curled up on the street after a beating and receiving a desperate call from a shop bathroom where she hid from Wallace. On Christmas morning, Wallace even casually admitted to his grandmother that he had “tossed her around a bit.”
The most harrowing testimony came from Za’Zell’s teenage daughter, who described helping to remove shards of glass from her mother’s body and witnessing Wallace carry her into the bathroom, dropping her head onto the toilet. “After she hit the toilet, I think she passed away,” the teen recounted. “He put her down to sleep while she was deceased. She was cold.” The next morning, she awoke to find her mother already dead as she went to open presents.
Despite attempts by the defence to discredit her testimony, prosecutors argued she had been traumatized and potentially coached by Wallace. Medical experts confirmed Za’Zell had suffered repeated blows to the head.
Justice Served, But Scars Remain
In April 2021, Wallace was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. Za’Zell’s mother, Saidell Preston, who now cares for her three grandchildren, branded Wallace a “selfish psychopath,” stating, “He beat and tortured my daughter and mentally assassinated her children. He showed her no mercy. Let’s show him no mercy.” Za’Zell’s eldest daughter poignantly stated, “I have grown up in hell since he murdered my mom. There is no childhood for me – just a downhill spiral since I was eight.”
The case serves as a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the urgent need for support and resources for victims.
