Suspect In Newbury Park Motel Murder Pleads Not Guilty

Monday February 10, 2025

     Updated--The man accused of killing a woman he was dating in a Newbury Park hotel room pleaded Not Guilty Monday to Murder.

     In addition, 31-year-old Uriel Gamboa of Thousand Oaks denied 3 Special Allegations including that he used a deadly weapon to kill 24-year-old Aliya Pitts of Sherman Oaks.

     Pitts body was found January 6th in a room at the Palm Garden Hotel on Ventu Park Road and the 101 Freeway in Newbury Park.

     Deputies had been called their by Gamboa who told the 9-1-1 operator that he had killed Pitts, who he was dating, and wanted to kill himself.

     When they arrived, the deputies found her body and also took Gamboa into custody.

     He ultimately spent several days in the hospital and then was released and booked into the Ventura County Todd Road Jail on Friday, January 10th.

     Gamboa appeared in court Monday to enter his pleas.

     Gamboa will remain in custody without bail.