A murder charge has been filed against a man in connection with the death of a woman battling Stage 4 breast cancer whose body was discovered inside a suitcase.

The victim, Vanessa Sanchez, aged 37, was found deceased in her residence in Berkeley, California, following a report to local authorities about the presence of a body in a building on May 30.

After a property manager conducted a wellness check, Ms. Sanchez’s remains were located inside a bin bag placed within a suitcase, prompting the authorities to intervene.

The tragic incident unfolded shortly after reports surfaced indicating Ms. Sanchez had been seen entering her apartment with Damarcus David Jones, who has since been accused of her murder.

According to detectives, Jones, 28, was last observed entering the victim’s residence alongside her on May 24, which marked the final day she was seen alive. Surveillance cameras captured Jones returning to the building with a large roller suitcase, leading to his subsequent arrest on June 2 in Solano County, California.

Court records cited by NBC revealed that Jones confessed to killing Ms. Sanchez, and he reportedly attempted to mask the odor in her apartment by ventilating the space and using an air purifier.

The untimely death of Ms. Sanchez deeply shocked her family, as she courageously battled advanced breast cancer at the time. Her mother had launched a GoFundMe campaign to secure financial support for her medical expenses during her challenging fight against the disease, which garnered significant contributions but was tragically updated to announce her passing.

The tribute to Ms. Sanchez highlighted her resilience and the profound impact she had on those around her, emphasizing her exceptional qualities and unwavering spirit that inspired many through life’s adversities.