Sonoma Co. Man Arrested In Wife's Suspected Murder: Sheriff's Office

SONOMA COUNTY, CA -- A Boyes Hot Springs man was arrested early Saturday on suspicion of killing his wife after he called 911 late Friday and allegedly said he and his wife had been in a fight and that his wife was dead, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office. Upon receiving the call at 11:40 p.m. Friday, deputies and emergency personnel were dispatched to the home of Steven David Rothschild, 72, and his wife Juanita Rothschild, 67, officials said.

Juanita was found unresponsive on the living room couch of the couple's residence in the 700 block of Amherst Circle, said Misti Harris, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office.

"She appeared to be seriously beaten; no obvious weapons were found," Harris said. "Deputies and emergency medical personnel tried to revive her, but were unsuccessful. Paramedics pronounced her dead on the scene."

Deputies arrested Steven on suspicion of murder and he was booked into the main Sonoma County jail. The 72-year-old where was being held without bail as of late Saturday pending a court appearance Tuesday afternoon, records showed.

The exact cause and manner of Juanita's death are being investigated, Harris.

Patch file photo/Renee Schiavone