A popular fitness influencer and her date were gunned down by her estranged husband in a California parking lot, just days after she publicly discussed their troubled marriage on a podcast.
Gloria Zamora, 40, was a beloved fitness coach and social media influencer with over 150,000 followers on Instagram and 85,000 on TikTok. Known for her motivational content, she inspired countless women to pursue their fitness goals while balancing motherhood. Zamora was a devoted mother of seven children, ages 8 to 24. Her date, Hector Garduno, 43, was a hardworking father of four daughters, described by family as “a loving, devoted, and hardworking man.” Together, they left behind eleven children now grappling with unimaginable loss.
On the evening of June 21, 2025, around 9:45 p.m., Zamora and Garduno were at Summa Sushi in Fontana’s Falcon Ridge Town Center. Reports vary; some indicate they were on a date, while family members say they were discussing a business venture to open a gym for women. They had been at the restaurant for about an hour when Zamora’s estranged husband, Thomas Alberto Tamayo Lizarraga, 45, tracked her location and confronted them in the parking lot.
Lizarraga opened fire, fatally wounding both victims. The gunshots drew the attention of off-duty law enforcement officers nearby, including a San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy. Fontana Police Officer Steve Reed explained,
“He was driving outside the shopping center, heard the gunshots, saw what happened, made a U-turn, and confronted the suspect.”
The deputy fatally shot Lizarraga during the confrontation. Despite being rushed to local hospitals, Zamora and Garduno succumbed to their injuries.
Just days before, Zamora had appeared on the “HERizon” podcast, where she candidly discussed her failing marriage and decision to leave Lizarraga. In a clip she shared on Instagram, Zamora expressed frustration over his lack of support for her social media career:
“Instead of being supportive, you’re trying to bring me down.”
She also revealed his critical remarks about her appearance, saying he told her,
“You think you’re all that? You’re not even all that. You have all these stretch marks.”
The podcast host responded,
“His insecurities are yelling to you. He’s trying to bring you down so you don’t leave.”
Zamora captioned the clip:
“With husbands like these, who needs enemies?”
The investigation remains ongoing, with a critical question unanswered: how did Lizarraga know where to find Zamora? Officer Reed confirmed the couple was in the process of divorcing, which investigators believe triggered the tragedy.
“We don’t know how he knew where she was, but she had been at the restaurant for about an hour,”
Reed said.
This unknown method of tracking underscores growing concerns about technology’s role in domestic violence, as abusers increasingly use GPS devices, smartphone surveillance, and social media to monitor victims.
The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of community support. Zamora’s 24-year-old daughter, Jazlynne, launched a GoFundMe for her six siblings, writing,
“My mom was senselessly taken from us in an act of unimaginable violence. She leaves behind seven beautiful children now facing a future without her warmth and love.”
The fundraiser has raised over $24,000, with a separate campaign supporting Garduno’s daughters. Jazlynne described her mother as “a light in her community” who “uplifted and inspired countless women, reminding them of their worth and strength.”
If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788. Support is available 24/7.
