Esther Bueno Taboada was stabbed to death the night before her college graduation

By DAWN HOBBS
NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

In an emotional ceremony Friday evening, Geronima Bueno got the diploma her daughter earned 10 years ago.

Mrs. Bueno broke down in tears when she was also honored with an award in her daughter's name.

Esther Bueno Taboada never saw the degree from Santa Barbara Business College because she was killed the night before her graduation.

"I feel very happy and the Bueno family wants to thank everybody very much," said Mrs. Bueno, accompanied by Esther's sister, Gloria Bueno, and brother, Robert Bueno, and several grandchildren.

"The whole family was so happy when Esther went back to school," Gloria Bueno said after the school's graduation ceremony at Community Covenant Church in Goleta.

"She took a big step and things were finally going good. Her life was taken so unexpectedly."

Santa Barbara Business College officials have recognized students with the Esther Bueno Taboada Award since she was stabbed to death in the La Cumbre Plaza parking lot Feb. 28, 1992, after she finished work at Sears.

The story of Esther's death was featured in a three-day News-Press series on unsolved homicides Dec. 29-31.

Her husband is suspected of killing the 26-year-old mother of two because she wanted a divorce.

Santa Barbara detectives believe he is hiding out in Santa Teresa, Guerrero, in Mexico.

Scott Thompson, the master of ceremonies, explained that the award recognizes students who face tremendous obstacles, like Esther — who succeeded in school despite having no support from her husband and raising two children.

School officials said they learned through the "Cold Case" series that Esther's mother never received her daughter's diploma.

"In light of this, we decided she should receive the diploma that Esther earned," said Judith Herrick, an instructor and registrar. "And we gave her the award because she took over where Esther left off with rearing the children."

Vanessa was 5 and Angelica 9 when their mother was killed.

"I feel so proud of Esther," Mrs. Bueno said. "This means a lot to me. Esther was hoping to get her diploma and get a better job to support her girls and herself. This was real important to her."

Mrs. Bueno will pass the diploma on to Esther's daughters, who said they wish their mother was here to see how they are growing up.

It will join the other mementos they have of their mother, like the family photo album that seems frozen in time.

Two weeks before Esther was killed, she moved from the house she shared with her allegedly abusive husband.

After 10 years, Esther finally mustered enough strength to leave the marriage. With the diploma, she planned to get a higher-paying job and a nicer place to live.

Esther thought her daughters would finally have a better life.

Esther was in his truck only minutes when police say he pulled out a knife and stabbed her in the throat.

Witnesses say Esther staggered across the parking lot to the automotive bay, where she cried out, "My husband did this to me!"

She then fell to the pavement and died.

e-mail: dhobbs@newspress.com