Visalia Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2019 Fatal Stabbing

By Anthony W. Haddad

Published 2 months ago on

April 25, 2025

Isaiah Elias Garcia, 25, of Visalia, was sentenced to life in prison Friday, April 25, 2025, for fatally stabbing another man during a 2019 fight that escalated after a party. (Tulare County DA)

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A 25-year-old man was sentenced to life in prison Friday for fatally stabbing another man during a fight at a party in 2019, the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office said.

Isaiah Elias Garcia was convicted last month of second-degree murder and the use of a deadly weapon in the killing, which happened after a fight escalated between two groups at a party in Visalia on Feb. 23, 2019.

Authorities said Garcia and others left the party following the altercation but later used Snapchat to challenge the other group to a second confrontation. When the invitation was declined, Garcia’s group drove to the other group’s location, where another fight broke out.

During the fight, Garcia stabbed the victim in the chest. He died at the scene from massive blood loss due to a stab to the heart.

Garcia was identified and arrested following a digital forensic investigation and witness testimony.

He was sentenced in Tulare County Superior Court to 15 years to life. Under current California law, he must serve at least 16 years before being eligible for parole.

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Anthony W. Haddad,

Multimedia Journalist

Anthony W. Haddad, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with his undergraduate degree and attended Fresno State for a MBA, is the Swiss Army knife of GV Wire. He writes stories, manages social media, and represents the organization on the ground.