Martinez, California – Today, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office charged 66-year-old Michael Anthony Leon with the 2015 murder of his wife, Brenda Joyce Leon, who was 52 years old at the time of her death.
After an extensive investigation, the District Attorney’s Cold Case Unit determined that Brenda Leon’s death on September 28th, 2015, was an act of homicide. The investigation uncovered previously unknown digital evidence and new factual details that were central to the decision to file charges.
Michael Leon was taken into custody from his Antioch residence on January 22nd. He is charged with murder under Penal Code Section 187(a) and personal use of a firearm causing death under Penal Code Section 12022.53(d). If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in prison.
“Brenda Joyce’s family never lost faith that the truth would come to light,” said 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.”
Michael Leon is set to be arraigned in court on January 26th at 1:30 pm in Martinez.
Case No. 01-26-00248 | The People of the State of California v. Michael Anthony Leon