Man, woman arrested for murder of former Umatac mayor appear in court

The investigation into the homicide of former Umatac Mayor Daniel Sanchez is ongoing, meanwhile two persons of interest have been arrested and charged with murder.

"This investigation is still ongoing so we are still moving forward with this investigation," said Sergeant Paul Tapao this morning on The Link. "It's a big case."

On Saturday, April 3, the Guam Police Department received a welfare check call, according to GPD spokesperson Tapao, in response officers went to a Umatac residence where they discovered an expired, lifeless person.

"This is where it pretty much spun everything into motion when the initial investigation, and the activation of our detectives on Saturday," he added.

Family members confirmed with KUAM News the individual who was found dead in the home is former Umatac mayor Daniel Sanchez and that they had been searching for him for days prior.

"The investigation prompted the activation of our Criminal Investigation Division relative to the man that was discovered, he did not reside in that home. Through the course of the investigation which pretty much took the entire weekend. Our detectives were able to identify two persons of interest," said Tapao.

Repeat offenders 59-year-old Rudy Quinata and 32-year-old Joyner Scott Sked were arrested for the death of Sanchez. A magistrates complaint charges the duo with murder as a 1st degree felony and aggravated assault as a second degree felony. The charges against Sked include a special allegation for use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony attached.

According to the complaint, Quinata is the homeowner and Sked who court documents say is his girlfriend, frequently visited.

Once at the residence officers saw a padlock and chain securing the front door, and smelled an odor that suspected a person may be dead inside. GPD used a ladder to gain a vantage point, where they observed Sanchez's body lying on the floor, facedown and blood surrounding his body.

Once inside the house authorities saw severe blunt force trauma injuries to the head of deceased Sanchez, and stab wounds to the front and back of his torso. Both a hammer and scissors were covered in blood and found near the body.

Witness interviews determined that a couple days prior on April 1st, Quinata, Sked and a third male suspected to be Sanchez were seen outside the residence, in which one neighbor reported they heard yelling.

Quinata was located and detained; he allegedly told police that "Joyner did it".

A witness stated to officers that Sked told them that she stabbed Sanchez while Quinata kept beating on him.

The couple made their initial appearance in superior court later this afternoon for their magistrates hearing, the government requested they both be held on a $100,000 dollar cash bail.

Assistant Attorney General Jermiah Luther said, "This is a high bond amount, but we believe it is appropriate given the circumstances the violence in this case is outstanding the police describe the scene where the victim was found face down in his own blood, beaten to death with a hammer and stabbed well over ten times. The murder weapons appear to be the scene. I would also point out this individual has multiple pre-trial cases that are open she was already put on house arrests by your honor."

Both defendants' long criminal history was detailed by probation in court.

As we've reported, in November of last year Sked was charged with child abuse as a misdemeanor, and arrested after a toddler was found walking unattended through a Sinajana neighborhood. Prior to that in April 2020 she was arrested and charged along with Quinata for a family violence incident that occurred in Umatac.

As for Quinata, he has had several previous run-ins with the law, and a criminal history dating back to the 80's when he was convicted of manslaughter for the death of U.S. marine.

Despite defense counsels arguments for leniency, ultimately magistrates Judge Jonathan Quan set the cash bails at $100,000 for Sked, and $50,000 for Quinata, both remain confined.

Quinata and Sked next court appearance was scheduled for April 15.