Death of Santee Woman Investigated as Possible Homicide: Sheriff's Department

SANTEE, CA — A woman was found dead by her roommate Tuesday night in a Santee apartment and the death is under investigation as a possible homicide, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

Sheriff's Lt. Kenneth Nelson said the roommate called 911 at 10:39 p.m. and stated they had just returned home at 8837 Mission Greens Road, Unit 3 — near Mission Gorge Road and Cuyamaca Street — and found their roommate unconscious with trauma to her upper body.

"Deputies and paramedics arrived a short time later but when they reached the victim she was already deceased," Nelson said.

The unidentified woman is approximately 25-35 years old, the lieutenant said.

Based on the circumstances surrounding the incident, detectives from the Sheriff's Homicide Detail and the Sheriff's Santee Station are investigating the case as a possible homicide, he said.

Deputies interviewed witnesses and obtained a warrant to search the residence, Nelson told reporters at a morning briefing.

A neighbor, who did not give his name, told NBC7 he heard a bang that sounded like a firecracker around 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, then saw a man leaving the victim's home.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of the victim's death, as well as identify her, according to Nelson.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Homicide Detail at 858-974-2321 during regular business hours or 858-565-5200 after hours. Tipsters can remain anonymous by calling San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

— City News Service contributed to this report.