It was supposed to be a joyous Christmas for Za’Zell Preston, celebrating with her newborn baby and two other children. The 26-year-old had prepared her Anaheim, California apartment with gifts and decorations for a festive season. However, beneath the surface, she was enduring a nightmare of domestic violence at the hands of her husband, William Wallace.
Trapped in an abusive relationship for three years, Za’Zell suffered from control and repeated attacks by Wallace. Despite threats to her life, she forgave him repeatedly. Wallace had a history of violence, serving time in jail for assaulting Za’Zell in 2008. Even with a restraining order, he continued his abusive behavior, leading to further imprisonment.
Upon Wallace’s release in 2011, Za’Zell welcomed him back into their home in hopes of a fresh start. However, their Christmas turned tragic when Wallace called emergency services on Christmas morning, reporting Za’Zell in need of medical assistance. Responders found her deceased on the sofa, surrounded by signs of violence in the apartment.
The truth emerged during Wallace’s arrest, revealing a horrific account of the events leading to Za’Zell’s death. Following an argument after a Christmas Eve party, Wallace violently attacked Za’Zell, causing fatal injuries. Instead of seeking help, he manipulated the situation, leading to a disturbing scene on Christmas Day, where he placed sunglasses on Za’Zell’s body and deceived the children about her condition.
After a nine-year legal battle, Wallace was convicted of second-degree murder in April 2021. The trial exposed years of abuse endured by Za’Zell, with her family seeking justice for her tragic death. The judge sentenced Wallace to 15 years to life imprisonment, acknowledging the impact of his actions on Za’Zell’s children and family.