A Costa Mesa man, Martin Laragarcia, has been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of his partner, Denise Avila. The incident occurred on the evening of September 8, in the apartment the couple shared on Victoria Street. Following the attack, Laragarcia, 28, fled the scene but was later apprehended by officers who were still conducting their investigation at the residence. KTLA reports that the police arrested Laragarcia upon his return "hours later…while police were still at the scene."
According to the Costa Mesa Police Department release, the Communications Center received a call before 8:00 p.m. about a female in need of medical attention. Officers and the Costa Mesa Fire and Rescue responded, discovering Avila, 29, had suffered multiple stab wounds and pronounced her dead at the scene. Fleeing in a vehicle before officers' arrival, the suspect was identified as Avila’s live-in partner.
The Costa Mesa Police Department, with Detective Eloisa Peralta leading the inquiry, continues the investigation into the circumstances that led to this tragic outcome. The police have reportedly located the presumed weapon involved in the stabbing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Peralta at 714-754-5039. As reported by FOX LA, "Detectives believe they have located the weapon used in the homicide."
The details surrounding the case remain sparse, but the community has been called upon to contribute any additional insights that might shed light on the dynamics that precipitated the violence. Laragarcia, since the incident, does not appear in a search of jail records, as indicated by the police.
