By Alia Wilson -- Santa Cruz Sentinel
Posted: 07/24/2010 12:32:28 PM PDT
Updated: 07/24/2010 04:18:53 PM PDT
SANTA CRUZ - A 41-year-old Santa Cruz woman was killed early Saturday when her throat was cut in what appears to be a domestic dispute, according to Santa Cruz police.
The woman's live-in boyfriend, Wensy Sanchez, was arrested on suspicion of homicide at a studio apartment on the 300 block of Morrissey Boulevard, police said.
Officers and medics responded to the apartment around 4 a.m. after neighbors called 911 to report that a woman was bleeding from a fight, according to police.
Officers found the woman on the living-room floor with her throat slashed and medics were unable to revive her, police said. Sanchez, 39, was seated a few feet away and was arrested without incident, according to police.
"This is a glaring heartbreaking example of domestic violence in our community and is a reminder that we should all be vigilant," Deputy Police Chief Rick Martinez said.
Martinez declined to say what prompted the fight, what type of weapon was used or if there was a history of violence at the home.
Police are not releasing the woman's name until family members have been notified.
Saturday morning, friends of the victim, wiping tears from their eyes, gathered outside the apartment building. They declined to comment, but neighbors said the woman often held popular yard sales where she sold plants, ceramics and flower arrangements.
"I wouldn't have expected it to happen here, especially at this house. This is a nice neighborhood,"
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said Mike Jones who lives down the street.
Tony Gonzalez, who has been living across the street from the apartment complex for 30 years, said the neighborhood is usually quiet.
"It's sad that somebody had to be taken this way," he said.
This is the sixth homicide in Santa Cruz this year and the second related to domestic violence. The first was a murder-suicide at 7-11 on Ocean Street on New Year's Day. In all, there have been three homicides related to domestic violence in the county this year.
Santa Cruz police and the District Attorney's Office are investigating the case. Police ask that anyone with information call investigators at 420-5820.
2010 SANTA CRUZ HOMICIDES
May 28: Bryan Young, 26, was shot during a drug rip-off on a footpath next to the Branciforte Creek canal and died the next day. Felton resident James Oehler, 23, was arrested when he returned to the crime scene the morning after the shooting, apparently to retrieve the murder weapon. Police found methamphetamine worth about $400 near where Young was shot. Oehler has pleaded not guilty and remains in jail. His preliminary hearing will be Sept. 13.
April 24: Carl Reimer, 19, of Santa Cruz was shot three times at Mission Garden apartments, 90 Grandview St., in what police say was likely a gang-related attack. A 15-year-old friend of Reimer's was not hit in the incident, which unfolded about midnight on April 23. Reimer died at Valley Medical in San Jose at 6:45 a.m. April 24. The suspect was described as a thin Latino man, 5 feet 7 inches tall, wearing dark clothing. He fled the scene.
Jan. 23: Alejandro Nava-Gonzalez, 21, and Oscar Ventura, 18, were fatally shot in an apartment on Canfield Street in Santa Cruz during an argument over a small amount of money. Jaime Galdalmez Guevara, an 18-year-old alleged gang member and heroin dealer, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder, attempted murder, special allegations that multiple murders were committed and that he used a firearm. Guevara remains in County Jail and returns to court Jan. 10 for a preliminary hearing.
Jan. 1: Nichole ‘Nikki' Schrock, 24, of Seaside was shot by her ex-boyfriend while she worked at the 7-Eleven at Ocean Street and Broadway in Santa Cruz. Illya ‘IC' Cavlan, 42, of San Jose then turned the gun on himself.
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