On what should have been a joyous Christmas for Za’Zell Preston, the young mother found herself in a tragic situation. Despite the festive decorations and wrapped gifts in her Anaheim, California home, Za’Zell was enduring a nightmare due to her abusive relationship with her husband, William Wallace.
The cycle of abuse had plagued Za’Zell for years, with Wallace’s controlling and violent behavior escalating over time. Despite previous incidents leading to Wallace’s imprisonment and a restraining order, Za’Zell chose to believe his promises of change, especially when she found out she was pregnant with their child.
Returning home after serving time in prison, Wallace resumed his abusive behavior, culminating in a violent altercation on Christmas Eve that resulted in Za’Zell’s tragic death. The scene discovered by paramedics was gruesome, with bloodstains, broken furniture, and a lifeless Za’Zell on the sofa.
Wallace’s callous actions continued even after Za’Zell’s death, as he callously manipulated the situation to deceive their children into believing their mother had simply gotten drunk and ruined Christmas. His cruelty extended to filming the children opening presents next to Za’Zell’s body.
Following a lengthy legal process, Wallace was eventually convicted of second-degree murder in April 2021. Despite attempts to discredit witnesses, including Za’Zell’s teenage daughter who bravely recounted the horrors she witnessed, justice was served. Wallace was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison, a small measure of closure for the devastating impact he had on Za’Zell’s family.
