A former mayoral candidate in the City of Antioch was arrested Thursday, January 22, for the murder of his wife ten years ago.
Brenda Joyce Leon’s 2014 death initially appeared to be a suicide. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office re-examined the case and, with the help of digital forensic technology, determined her death was in fact a homicide.
“Brenda Joyce’s family never lost faith that the truth would come to light,” said Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton. “Today’s filing in Contra Costa Superior Court honors that perseverance and demonstrates that cold cases are never forgotten, regardless of how much time has passed.”
The woman’s husband, Michael Anthony Leon, is alleged to have killed his wife Brenda and made it look like a suicide. Just a few years earlier, in 2012, Michael Leon ran for Antioch mayor. He finished fourth in a field of four candidates. Candidate Wade Harper ultimately won that election.