The lawsuit, which was filed in March, alleges Christopher Preciado caused the death of the pregnant teen and her boyfriend in December of 2023.
SAN ANTONIO — The families of Savanah Soto and Matthew Guerra have filed a lawsuit for $1 million in damages against the three people accused in the deaths.
Christopher Preciado, Ramon Preciado and Myrta Romanos are named as defendants. The suit alleges Christopher killed Savanah, Matthew and their unborn baby Fabian in December of 2023. It alleges his parents helped hide the bodies.
The lawsuit was filed back in March. Since then, Christopher submitted a claim of innocence through a letter he wrote from jail.
Gabriel Guerra, Matthew’s father, said this lawsuit is another way for the families to gain justice.
“They took everything, I was excited to be a first-time grandpa to see Matthew and Savanah in their next chapters of their lives,” Gabriel said.
Initially, Gabriel said they considered civil action with a different goal in mind.
“We wanted to try and tie up any funds that they have or could get by selling of the property to use for private attorneys or bonding out,” Gabriel said.
He’s referring to Ramon and Myrta’s home that put up for sale following their arrests.
However, Gabriel said they learned quickly from their attorney, the criminal cases against the defendants would play out first.
“We just are wanting to, when they come out of prison, the mom and dad, to come out to nothing and to have nothing,” Gabriel said.
According to the suit, they claim the deaths have caused mental anguish. Gabriel discussed what he has gone through since losing his son and grandbaby.
“It turns your life upside down,” Gabriel said. “My oldest son got married and I was watching him and my daughter in law dance, and I was imagining Matt and Savanah and Easter with kids, running around. It’s hard not to try and imagine Fabian.”
The families are now awaiting anxiously for the criminal process to play out.
“There’s a bunch of questions we need answered and that’s probably where we’re going to get most of them answered,” Gabriel said.
It is unclear right now if the Bexar County District Attorney will prosecute Christopher or his parents first. Gabriel said he was told by the DA’s office, there could be a trial by October.
Meanwhile, Myrta Romanos has a bond reduction hearing set for May 15. Her husband bonded out of jail earlier this year. Christopher remains in the Bexar County Jail with bonds totaling $2 million.