Raquel Guerra Speaks Out Against The Light of the World Church After Son’s Death

Raquel Guerra, the stepmother of Matthew Guerra, who was tragically shot and killed alongside his pregnant girlfriend, Savanah Soto, has spoken out against The Light of the World Church. According to Guerra, the church, which she left and publicly criticized, made several YouTube videos about her son’s death, blaming her for the incident.

Background:

• Raquel Guerra left The Light of the World Church after a prominent figure in the church was arrested for sex crimes involving minors.
• She came out against the church in a 2019 interview with the Law & Crime Network.
• The church leader, Naason Joaquin Garcia, was indicted on charges of production and possession of child pornography and later pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting three minors in California.

YouTube Videos:

• The church-affiliated YouTube channel, Batallon Cibernetico, posted two videos about the deaths of Matthew Guerra and Soto.
• Host Gerardo Ortiz suggested that Raquel Guerra was to blame for not noticing Matthew’s alleged involvement in drug or criminal activity and criticized Matthew’s character.

Controversy and Response:

• Raquel Guerra expressed her disgust at the church’s actions in a Facebook post, stating that the church claimed she deserved what happened.
• After her post gained attention, the YouTube channel released a statement denying they said Guerra or the victims “deserved it.”
• The channel instead suggested that Raquel Guerra was trying to “divert attention and hinder the criminal case” against her stepson.

Matthew Guerra’s Background:

• Matthew Guerra had a history of legal issues, including a guilty plea to a domestic violence charge and arrests for reckless driving, unlawfully carrying a weapon, and evading arrest.
• His father, Gabriel Guerra, acknowledged that Matthew did not always associate with the best crowd, but emphasized his excitement about the baby.

Impact on the Family:

• The Guerra family is grieving the loss of Matthew and the unborn child.
• Eli Palos, Matthew’s stepbrother, stressed that Matthew’s criminal record does not define his character and argued that he deserved a second chance.

The Church’s History:

• The Light of the World Church, also known as La Luz del Mundo, has faced significant controversies, including allegations of sexual abuse by its leaders.
• Ex-members have spoken out against the church, with some forming online communities to cope with their experiences after leaving the church.

The situation surrounding Matthew Guerra’s death and the subsequent actions of The Light of the World Church highlight the complexities and controversies associated with religious organizations accused of misconduct. The Guerra family’s grief is compounded by the church’s alleged victim-blaming and the public nature of the controversy.