A Michigan father has been charged with open murder and firearms offenses in connection with the fatal shooting of his girlfriend inside their shared home while their two young children were present, authorities announced this week.
Background
Ernesto Cuascut-Santini and Marissa Mion lived together at a residence in the Colonial Manor Mobile Home Park in Kalamazoo County, where they were raising two children—a 1-year-old and a 7-year-old. Court documents obtained by local media indicate the couple had been arguing repeatedly in the days leading up to the July 5 shooting.
According to witnesses who spoke with investigators, Cuascut-Santini had threatened Mion just days before her death, telling her, "You are either going to be with me or I will kill you." The ultimatum would prove prophetic as the couple's relationship deteriorated rapidly in the final days of her life.
Relatives told WXMI that the family had gathered for a Fourth of July celebration the day before the shooting. Mion brought banana pudding and stayed through the fireworks—a seemingly ordinary gathering that would become one of her last interactions with loved ones.
"She was the best sister. She was the best mom. She was the best friend," said Brandon Mion, Marissa's brother, in an interview with the station. "She was loved by the community. She was really… she was a sweet person. She felt like she was invincible. Resilient. Compassionate, smart, funny."
The Investigation
Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the mobile home park shortly after 3:30 p.m. on July 5 after receiving a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered Cuascut-Santini outside the residence with blood spatter visible on his face, according to court documents cited by WWMT.
Inside the home, authorities found Mion lying on the bedroom floor, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
During a subsequent autopsy, medical examiners removed eight bullets from Mion's body and determined she had actually been shot more than eight times, court records show.
In an interview with detectives following his arrest, Cuascut-Santini allegedly admitted to shooting Mion multiple times following an argument. A responding sheriff's sergeant reported hearing him say at the scene, "I shot my girl," according to documents cited by WXMI.
Following the shooting, Cuascut-Santini allegedly called his sister and a friend to tell them what had occurred. His sister then contacted authorities, leading to his apprehension.
The Charges
Cuascut-Santini was arraigned this week on one count of open murder—a charge that encompasses both first- and second-degree murder depending on how the case proceeds—and related firearms offenses in connection with Mion's killing. The charges remain allegations as the case moves through the court system.
The Kalamazoo County Prosecutor's Office is handling the prosecution, which will proceed through the 9th Judicial Circuit Court.
"She would want to be remembered as a loving, caring mom," said Cyndi Thomas, Mion's aunt. "She was the best sister. She was the best mom."
Key Takeaways
- Ernesto Cuascut-Santini has been charged with open murder and firearms offenses in connection with the July 5 killing of Marissa Mion
- Police allege Cuascut-Santini shot Mion more than eight times inside their Colonial Manor Mobile Home Park home while their 1-year-old and 7-year-old children were present
- Witnesses told investigators that Cuascut-Santini had threatened Mion days earlier, stating: "You are either going to be with me or I will kill you"
- Following the shooting, Cuascut-Santini allegedly called his sister and a friend before his sister notified authorities
- A responding sergeant reported hearing him say "I shot my girl" at the scene
What's Next
Cuascut-Santini remains in custody pending further court proceedings. No trial date has been set as of this report, and preliminary hearings have yet to occur in the 9th Judicial Circuit Court. The case is expected to proceed through Kalamazoo County's court system as prosecutors build their murder case. Meanwhile, Mion's family has organized a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses and support her two children, who are now left without either parent.