ID is re-airing the Fatal Vows investigation into the murder of John Hillrich, which was organized by his estranged wife, Amy “Nikki” Hillrich.
Nikki had her boyfriend, David Olvera, and their friend Emilio Saldana gun down 39-year-old John outside his office in Ontario, California.
John and Nikki had been married with two children but had separated several years previously. The couple shared custody of their children and maintained a family home for them in Yucaipa, CA.
However, their relationship deteriorated further when Nikki began dating parolee Olvera. John insisted that Olvera not spend any time with their children, and Nikki initially agreed but then backtracked and secretly allowed her boyfriend to be in the kids’ company.
When John found out Olvera had been with the children, he became very angry, and the couple argued. Around this time, Nikki decided to kill John.
She told a colleague on multiple occasions that she wanted John dead. The colleague and her husband, Jason Mayer, decided to set a trap for Nikki. Mayer offered to kill John for $10,000, but Nikki said it was ok because Olvera and Saldana were going to do it.
Mayer went to the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department and told them John’s life was in danger. John was murdered the next day.
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelDavid Olvera and Emilio Saldana killed John Hillrich for Nikki Hillrich
On August 16, 2011, Olvera borrowed a friend’s Ford F-250 truck and traveled with Saldana to a parking lot in front of John’s office, where they shot him.
The truck was recorded by surveillance footage and the investigators were able to trace it back to Olvera through his friend.
The cops soon recovered a series of incriminating texts and phone calls between Olvera, Saldana, and Nikki. In one text, Nikki wrote out John’s schedule and route.
Evidence against Nikki Hillrich for ordering John Hillrich murder built up
The police also found a couple of notes written by Nikki. The first note addressed to Olvera read in part, “John Hillrich HAS TO DIE today. Please, please, please. He is ruining my relationship with my children, my finances, my life! After he dies, I will return to Pathway Church and start over. I will be a better role model for [the children].”
The note continued by encouraging and thanking Olvera for committing the murder.
The second note was a Dear John-style letter that Nikki wrote to John telling him that she was sorry that it had gotten to the point that he had to be killed. She signed the letter “Love, Nikki.”
Nikki Hillrich, David Olvera, and Emilio Saldana were all found guilty of first-degree murder and received lengthy sentences.
This episode of Fatal Vows airs Saturday at 9/8c on Investigation Discovery.