Cigarette burns and 'deformities' found on CA white woman, black ex-boyfriend claims she slipped in the shower

A Bakersfield man has been arrested in connection with the death of his 
girlfriend after telling cops she had slipped in the shower.

Police were called to Adventist Health Bakersfield around 11pm on February 
7 when Crystal Marie Falcon was rushed to the hospital by medical aid with 
major injuries.

She had scrapes and bruises that were consistent with being tied up, as 
well as possible cigarette burns, broken bones and “obvious deformity,” 
police wrote in a court filing, according to KGET.

Investigators found blood splatter in the bathroom, as well as the bedroom 
and hallway of the southwest Bakersfield home where Falcon was found 
unresponsive.

Brandon Grimaldi, 29, was arrested a week later when Falcon, 23, died from 
her injuries on February 13. He faces charges involving possible domestic 
violence with great bodily injury, according to Bakersfield Now.

In a statement, The Bakersfield Police Department said it “is committed to 
combat domestic violence and bring justice to those affected.”

Grimaldo also faces child endangerment charges according to KGET, as blood 
splatter was also found on the crib of a child who has a disability at the 
home, the court filing said. 

Crystal had two young kids, including one with special needs, according to 
a GoFundMe page. 

“We are opening this go fund me to raise money for not only a peaceful 
goodbye in memory of Crystal, but her two beautiful children to help 
during this time,” wrote Cheryl Cervantes, the organizer of the GoFundMe 
page. 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-crystal-falcon-her-babies

Grimaldo is due back in court next month, KGET reported. 

https://nypost.com/2026/02/22/us-news/cigarette-burns-and-deformities-
found-on-ca-woman-ex-boyfriend-claims-she-slipped-in-the-shower/