California Woman Beheaded in Middle of Street in Broad Daylight by Ex-Boyfriend Wielding a Samurai Sword

A California woman was beheaded in the middle of a street in broad daylight by her ex-boyfriend wielding a samurai sword.

According to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Department, the killing happened at about 11:50 a.m Thursday at Laurel Street and Magnolia Avenue in San Carlos, some 25 miles south of San Francisco, and multiple witnesses saw the brutal sword attack.

San Mateo County Sheriff's Lt. Eamonn Allen said the crime scene was just outside the victim's home, ABC 7 News reported.

Allen noted that the California woman had two daughters, ages 7 and 1, who were inside the house at the time of the crime and did not witness their mom's beheading. Child Protective Services took custody of the two children, along with a dog and two cats.

A witness told local radio station KGO that the California woman's head went underneath the car, and her body was "laying in the back" of the vehicle before authorities covered her up.

Police said the victim and the suspect were in an ongoing relationship. However, the California woman got a temporary restraining order against the suspect in April.

Authorities identified the suspect as Hayward resident Jose Raphael Solano Landaeta, the 33-year-old father of the victim's 1-year-old daughter.

Man Who Beheaded the California Woman Arrested

According to Crime Online, Jose Raphael Solano Landaeta was arrested when he returned to the crime scene. Eamonn Allen said the responding police officers quickly detained the suspect, and he was placed under arrest for homicide.

He only described the weapon used as a stabbing instrument, which has not been found as of Thursday night.

"We can confirm that a stabbing instrument was used in the commission of the crime. That weapon is still outstanding," Allen noted.

Court records showed that the suspect is being held without bail and is expected to make a court appearance Friday.

California Woman's Family and Neighbors React to Brutal Killing

The victim had been identified as 27-year-old Karina Castro, who worked for DoorDash. Sources told KGO that there was a history of domestic violence at the California woman's home.

Investigators believed that the couple started fighting inside the apartment around 10:30 a.m. Thursday, or before their fight, spilled outside where the suspect used what witnesses described as a samurai sword to kill Karina Castro.

Castro's father, Martin Castro Jr., told NBC Bay Area that he feels like this was "a horror movie" he needs to wake up from. Martin showed up at the scene, where a memorial to his daughter stands, on Friday.

He said no one in the family had eaten or slept at the time. When asked what he wanted to happen next, Martin noted that he was all for it if Jose Raphael Solano Landaeta would be given the death penalty.

Neighbors also told NBC Bay Area that Karina had a volatile relationship with the suspect. One neighbor said police often responded to the couple fighting and recalled hearing the California woman talk about being scared of her estranged boyfriend.

Neighbor Nathaniel Chan noted that she saw Karina pacing back and forth in front of the house the night before. Chan said he also heard the California woman talking really loud on the phone and said, 'it feels like I've got a target on my back.'"

Meanwhile, Martin said his family is focused on getting Karina's children back from Child Protective Services.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Woman Killed in Domestic Attack Outside San Carlos Home, Arrest Made - From KPIX CBS SF Bay Area