California Man Allegedly Decapitates Female Relative, Takes Head with Him
In a gruesome and tragic incident, a California man with a distinctive "420" head tattoo was apprehended in San Francisco after allegedly decapitating a female relative and fleeing, possibly with her head, according to authorities, according to FOX News.
Luis Aroyo-Lopez, a 24-year-old individual, had been on the run since the discovery of a headless body in a Santa Rosa residence on Thursday.
The Santa Rosa Police Department reported no immediate details about Aroyo-Lopez's arrest were available.
The case unfolded when police officers in Santa Rosa responded to a home in the 500 block of Pomo Trail around 3:40 PM on Thursday following a report of a possible homicide. Upon arrival, officers made the horrifying discovery of a decapitated woman inside the residence, with her head conspicuously missing.
Investigators later determined that Aroyo-Lopez, a relative of the victim, was the alleged perpetrator who had killed her before fleeing the scene.
Distressingly, the victim was identified as the California man's grandmother, according to relatives.
Notably, Aroyo-Lopez, whose left-side head tattoo features "420" and a marijuana leaf, was suspected of leaving the crime scene with the victim's head, which authorities believed might still be in his possession while he was on the run.
However, there was no immediate confirmation on whether the victim's head was recovered following Aroyo-Lopez's arrest in San Francisco.
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California Man Was Just Released from Prison Before Murdering His Grandmother
Adding to the grim backdrop of the case, authorities revealed that Aroyo-Lopez had recently been released from state prison and was under Postrelease Community Supervision, per PEOPLE.
His prior incarceration was unrelated to the victim in this incident, involving charges related to assault with a deadly weapon and weapons possession.
In response to this heinous crime, the Sonoma County Alliance Community Engagement and Safety Rewards Fund offered a reward of $2,500 for information that could lead to the arrest of suspects involved in the case.
According to records from the Sonoma County Sheriff's jail inmate search, Aroyo-Lopez was booked at the Main Adult Detention Facility on the night of Saturday.
He now faces two charges: one count of "PC 3455 Felony," seemingly related to postrelease supervision, and one count of "PC 187 Felony," denoting murder according to California legislation.
He is currently being held without bail. The Santa Rosa Police Department has not yet responded to requests for additional information as of the reporting time.
Witness Tells the Tragic Story
The brutal crime has left the neighborhood residents in deep shock, as this area is typically known for its tranquility.
One resident, identified as Jessica for privacy reasons, lives near the home where the tragic incident occurred.
She expressed concerns that the suspect might return to the area, so she chose not to reveal her last name or be identified on camera.
Recalling the events of that fateful day, Jessica explained that she witnessed the California man walking toward her neighbor's home around noon on Thursday.
She described his demeanor as appearing entirely normal, walking at a regular pace, and knocking on the door.
Jessica observed the interaction while accompanied by her dog to ensure her neighbor's familiarity with the visitor.
While Jessica overheard their conversation, nothing about it appeared alarming to her. She noted that the woman inside the home seemed surprised and happy during the exchange, CBS News noted.
Jessica heard the word 'you,' but the overall tone of their conversation did not raise any red flags. Following the conversation, the door closed, and Jessica believed that everything was in order.
However, just three hours later, Jessica heard a friend of the victim frantically running out of the house, repeatedly shouting, "No head!" Initially, Jessica was unsure about the meaning behind these words.
The victim's friend continued to go in and out of the house, seemingly searching for the missing head, which added to the distressing and bewildering nature of the situation.
Lt. Christopher Mahurin of the Santa Rosa Police Department provided some context, emphasizing the significance of the incident.
He noted the unique and alarming circumstances surrounding the crime, particularly the fact that the California man had been recently released from prison and appeared to have made a deliberate effort to travel from Bakersfield to Santa Rosa with an apparent motive to harm a family member.
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Written by: Bert Hoover
WATCH: Bay Area man wanted for allegedly decapitating relative, taking her head: police - From ABC7 News Bay Area