Jury Finds Suspect in Goleta Hotel Homicide Guilty of Murder

By the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office

Santa Barbara County District Attorney John T. Savrnoch announced that Isaiah Ramirez Alexander, a 36- year-old resident of Santa Barbara, California, was found guilty by a jury of 2nd Degree Murder, Shooting at an Inhabited Vehicle, Residential Burglary, and Commercial Burglary.

Mr. Alexander was also convicted of various special allegations and enhancements including: discharging a firearm causing death, two out-on-bail enhancements, and having two prior strike (violent offense) convictions.

The charges stemmed from various incidents occurring February 9th through February 14th of 2022. On February 9th, Mr. Alexander burglarized a residential apartment in the city of Santa Barbara. The burglary led to a violent confrontation the next day on February 10th, at Pacifica Suites Hotel in Goleta, where Mr. Alexander shot and killed 43-year-old Richard Cardona.

The confrontation led to a shootout inside one of the hotel rooms, after which Mr. Cardona attempted to flee but was chased down and killed in his vehicle by Alexander. Alexander subsequently fled the scene, attempted to conceal the murder weapon, and separately disposed of the firearm magazine and ammunition.

Alexander also burglarized the Riviera store and was arrested in possession of stolen property at La Quinta Inn on February 14, 2022. At the time of these offenses Alexander was out on bail on two other cases, where he is still pending charges for carjacking, attempted robbery, vehicle theft, and identity theft.

Mr. Alexander is currently being held without bail and the case is set for sentencing on October 19, 2023, in Santa Barbara Superior Court, Department 2 at 8:30 a.m. Mr. Alexander is facing more than 121 years to life in State Prison based on his current charges and previous criminal history.

District Attorney John T. Savrnoch stated, “Thank you to the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s personnel led by Detective Maxwell for superb work on a difficult investigation and the Prosecution Team led by Senior Deputy Kevin Weichbrod for their work in holding this individual accountable for his actions.”