Sacramento, California — Two young children missing since their mother was found dead inside a California home have now been safely recovered in Mexico, while the children’s father has been arrested in connection with the case, authorities announced.
The dramatic international investigation came to a breakthrough after months of searching, coordination between agencies in two countries and a crucial public tip that ultimately led authorities to the family’s whereabouts.
Children Found Safe in Mexico
According to the FBI Sacramento Field Office, Camron Lee, 40, was taken into custody on May 17 in Primo Tapia, Baja California, Mexico, alongside his two children, Athena Lee, 5, and Mateo Lee, 4.
Authorities confirmed that the children have since been safely reunited with their maternal grandmother in California after nearly two years away from family members.
The FBI described the operation as the result of a nearly six-month effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies in both the United States and Mexico.
Public Tip Helped Crack the Case
Federal investigators said a single public tip played a major role in locating Lee and recovering the missing children.
“Today’s announcement highlights the impact of the FBI’s reward program. A single tip brought a fugitive to justice for his alleged crime and reunited a family,” FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel said.
“We are grateful for the trust Angelica Bravo’s family placed in law enforcement and the confidence the tipster placed in the FBI.”
Authorities said agencies involved in the operation included the Sacramento Police Department, Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, Mexico’s Office of the Attorney General and members of the Mexican military.
Mother Found Dead in California Home
The investigation began on July 8, 2024, when Sacramento police officers responded to a medical aid call at a home on Didcot Circle.
Inside the residence, officers discovered Angelica Bravo, Lee’s partner, dead. At the same time, the couple’s children were missing along with Lee.
Investigators later determined that Lee’s vehicle had crossed into Mexico with the children shortly after Bravo’s death.
Authorities explained at the time that an Amber Alert could not be issued because the children were believed to already be outside the United States.
Murder Charge Filed Against Suspect
Court records show that Lee was initially charged in July 2024 with multiple counts related to possession of assault weapons.
Months later, on March 5, 2025, prosecutors formally charged him with murder after the Sacramento County Coroner determined that “homicidal violence could not be ruled out as a potential cause of death.”
A federal warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution had already been issued in August 2024 as authorities intensified efforts to locate him and recover the children.
Officials Praise International Cooperation
Law enforcement officials praised the extensive cooperation between agencies that helped bring the case to a turning point.
Sacramento Police Chief Zachary Bales described the arrest as “another step forward in the pursuit of justice for Angelica Bravo, her family, and all those impacted by her murder in July 2024.”
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“Through the tenacious efforts of the men and women of the Sacramento Police Department, and in close partnership with the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mr. Lee will now be held accountable for his actions,” Bales said.
Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho also spoke about the emotional impact the case had on Bravo’s loved ones.
“With the dedicated partnership of the Sacramento Police Department and the FBI, we can announce that Camron Lee is in custody and will face charges for her murder,” Ho said. “I’m further glad to announce that the children have now been reunified with Ms. Bravo’s family, bringing them profound relief.”
Authorities said Lee’s return to the United States is being funded through “Project Welcome Home,” a federal program that assists in transporting fugitives back to the country.
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