Citing unnamed law enforcement sources, ABC7 reported that a woman was beheaded by a man against whom he had obtained a temporary restraining order. San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Lt. Eamonn Allen declined to confirm the account Thursday afternoon, but told the Chronicle that witnesses reported an assault in progress at 11:50 a.m. in the 300-400 blocks of Laurel Street and Magnolia Avenue, where he found an “apparently deceased” adult female. Police said the incident happened on the street in front of the home of the victim, who lived there with her two children. Allen said the children were not believed to be present at the time of the attack. “A stabbing instrument was used,” said Allen, who declined to confirm what object was used. Deputies arrived within minutes of the call and a short time later the suspect returned to the scene and was arrested. Authorities have not yet located the weapon, Allen said. The suspect was arrested on suspicion of murder, said Allen, who added that he was “known to the victim” and that the deceased was believed to be an individual victim. At a news conference Thursday, Allen said police were still in the process of securing search warrants for her home and the man’s home. Deputies who arrived were “overwhelmed by the scene,” Allen said, adding that authorities and witnesses have been contacted by tipsters. Allen said the office is not releasing any identities for the victim pending notification of her family. The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office also declined to comment. Neighbors in the mostly residential San Carlos neighborhood were stunned by the violence of the incident. Lina Whittaker, who has lived in the area with her husband since 1994, said some of her neighbors in the past wouldn’t lock their doors. “It’s a very quiet neighborhood,” Whittaker said. “My catalyst was stolen here about four months ago, but that’s the only thing I’ve had here.” Hoping to feel safer, Whittaker and her husband have installed more lights on their property, she said. Neighbor Tom, who has lived on his property on Laurel Steet for 71 years, said the neighborhood has seen crimes, but said it was mostly property or car crime. “My car was stolen,” he said. “The police told me it’s mainly people who access the area from the motorway. But violent crime? That’s not common here.” As of Thursday evening, San Mateo Sheriff’s Office deputies, medical examiners and Redwood City firefighters remained in the cordoned off area outside the apartment complex, blocking off the road and removing crime scene tape. Annie Vainshtein (she/her) is a staff writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @annievain
