A year after gay reality star Eduardo Xol’s killing, prosecutors may reveal motive at hearing

A year after the horrific killing in Palm Springs of Eduardo Xol, a gay man and reality TV star, a possible motive for his brutal stabbing has not been revealed. That may change after a preliminary hearing on the case, which is scheduled for next month.

In court documents, prosecutors state that on September 10, 2024, Richard Gonzales, 35, stabbed Xol more than 20 times in an apartment in the Arenas District of Palm Springs. Xol, 58, was rushed to Desert Regional Medical Center. He died in the hospital 10 days later, on September 20. 

Palm Springs Police say Gonzales called them on the morning of the incident from a location about a mile away from the apartment complex on the 400 block of E. Arenas Road where Xol was stabbed. That complex is on the block east of the strip of E. Arenas Road, just east of Indian Canyon Drive where most of the city’s gay bars are situated. Police say Gonzales told them he was assaulted. They apparently did not believe his story and arrested him for the alleged stabbing.

Gonzales, who has been charged with first-degree murder, has pleaded not guilty. He remains in custody.

 
Xol, an actor and former San Francisco resident, was probably best known for his role in ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” He appeared in the 1998 movie "Bravo" and in several Spanish-language telenovelas. He had lived in San Francisco in the 1990s and had worked for the legendary and now-closed restaurant in the Castro, Pozole, known for hiring handsome employees.

Court papers document Gonzales’ long juvenile and adult criminal record. He was on parole at the time of the alleged stabbing. Xol’s killing was classified as domestic violence. Prosecutors noted Gonzales’ prior domestic violence conviction involving another victim, which is admissible in subsequent domestic violence trials under California law.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled in the case on Thursday, October 9, in Riverside County Superior Court in Indio, about a half hour south of Palm Springs. Court records list it as a “long cause” hearing, meaning that likely will extend over more than a day. Prosecutors will lay out their evidence in the case and may call witnesses to testify. The defense will have the opportunity to challenge the evidence and present its own evidence or witnesses. At the conclusion of the hearing, a judge will decide whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to a trial.

Previous discussions of a possible plea-bargain have not reached a settlement, according to court records. Once the evidence is presented and challenged in court during a preliminary hearing, it may give both sides a new insight on the strength of the case and could ultimately lead to a plea deal, avoiding a trial.

The Riverside County Public Defender’s office, which is representing Gonzales, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

In an email to the Bay Area Reporter on Tuesday, September 16, Molly Smith, the public information officer for the Riverside County District Attorney’s office, responded, “We are unable to discuss details at this time, as it is an ongoing investigation and an active case. Our primary priority is to maintain the integrity of the case and prevent it from becoming a trial by publicity.”