Lust, Money, Stalking & Obsession | Abigail Saldaña & Stanley Szeliga
YouTube · ethuNewsb-w
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Abigail Saldaña, a 22-year-old mother, was shot to death in her car on October 26, 2021.
- ❖Days before her murder, Saldaña found a tracking device on her car and posted about it on Instagram, expressing fear of being followed.
- ❖Stanley Szeliga, an ex-military veteran and client from the strip club where Saldaña worked, was identified as the stalker and murderer.
- ❖Szeliga's Instagram was filled with posts blackmailing Saldaña, alleging she took thousands of dollars from him for sex, and expressing anger over their relationship.
- ❖Police used license plate readers and surveillance footage to confirm Szeliga had stalked Saldaña multiple times, including 17 minutes before her murder.
- ❖Szeliga was arrested after a SWAT standoff and charged with murder, with his bond set at $250,000.
- ❖Abigail's mother, Jessica Contreres, is advocating for 'Aby's Law' to address stalking and domestic violence, and actively participated in building the case against Szeliga.
Insights
1Discovery of Stalking and Public Shaming
Abigail Saldaña discovered a tracking device on her car in early October 2021 and posted about it on Instagram, warning others. Her mother had advised her to report it to the police. Stanley Szeliga, an obsessed client, used his Instagram to publicly shame and blackmail Saldaña, posting screenshots of alleged payments and threatening to expose her work as an escort.
Abigail's Instagram post about the tracker (), Szeliga's Instagram posts detailing payments and threats (, , ).
2Evidence of Obsessive Stalking
Police used license plate reader databases and traffic camera footage to confirm Stanley Szeliga's extensive stalking of Abigail Saldaña. His truck was seen near her home at least five times over a 12-day period, and he closely followed her vehicle just 17 minutes before her murder.
License plate reader data and surveillance footage showing Szeliga's truck near Saldaña's home and following her vehicle (, , ).
3Szeliga's Arrest and Charges
After failing to appear for a police interview, detectives secured a warrant for Stanley Szeliga's arrest. He was apprehended after a SWAT team executed the warrant at his apartment, where he had inflicted self-inflicted wounds. Szeliga was subsequently charged with Abigail Saldaña's murder.
Szeliga's no-show for interview (), SWAT team execution of warrant (), Szeliga's self-inflicted wounds and arrest (), murder charge and bond ().
4Mother's Advocacy and 'Aby's Law'
Abigail's mother, Jessica Contreres, vowed to face Szeliga in court and described her daughter as a hard worker with a lot of love. Leveraging her background in the legal field, Jessica immediately began her own investigation, which corroborated police findings. She is now drafting 'Aby's Law' to advocate for other women experiencing similar situations.
Jessica Contreres's vow to face killer in court (), description of Abby (), Jessica's legal background and independent investigation (), and work on 'Aby's Law' ().
Lessons
- If you suspect you are being stalked or have a tracking device on your vehicle, report it to authorities immediately and document all evidence, including photos, videos, and social media posts.
- Educate yourself and your loved ones on the red flags of obsessive behavior and toxic relationships, such as controlling tendencies, public shaming, and persistent unwanted contact.
- Support victims of stalking and domestic violence by listening to their concerns, encouraging them to seek help, and understanding that their fears are valid, even if they seem 'paranoid'.
Notable Moments
Abigail Saldaña's mother, Jessica Contreres, describes her daughter as a great person and hard worker, who was about to open her own salon.
This provides a humanizing perspective on the victim, highlighting her aspirations and the profound loss experienced by her family, particularly her 5-year-old son.
Jessica Contreres, with a background in the legal field, immediately began her own investigation into her daughter's murder, which aligned with police findings.
This emphasizes the critical role family members can play in gathering information and advocating for justice, especially when official responses might be perceived as slow or insufficient. It also highlights the importance of personal initiative in crisis.
Quotes
"He took away a mother. She was a bright, beautiful person. He took that. He took that all away from me."
"This is no joke, and sometimes you think it will never be you."
"Aby's no longer here with us, but her mother's here, and I'm going to be her voice, her advocate, and be an advocate for other women that are going through this."
Q&A
Recent Questions
Related Episodes
The YouTuber Who Had Her Husband Murdered
"A young YouTuber with dreams of online fame orchestrated the brutal murder of her husband, Ernie Abara, after staging a home invasion, leading to a complex investigation that exposed her calculated deception."
Deadliest Female Murderers Caught By Police
"This episode reconstructs four harrowing cases where women committed fatal acts, often fueled by escalating arguments, substance abuse, or personal grievances, leading to tragic outcomes and eventual arrests."
MONSTER MARRIAGE: SURGEON’S ICY THREATS YEARS BEFORE KILLING EX-WIFE & NEW HUBBY, COPS
"A successful vascular surgeon allegedly stalked and emotionally abused his ex-wife for nearly a decade before murdering her and her new husband in their beds, fueled by perceived rejection and mounting legal troubles."
Charges Dropped in Christopher Mitchell Killing. RFK Jr Confronted. Ticketmaster Monopoly Ruling
"This episode dissects critical legal and social issues, from the dismissal of charges against police officers in a Black man's shooting death and a federal jury's ruling against Ticketmaster's monopoly, to a profound discussion on domestic violence and mental health within the Black community."