A 33-year-old man, Willian Santos, has been arrested on suspicion of murder after Los Angeles firefighters discovered a 38-year-old woman with critical burn injuries and stab wounds inside a burning Westside Los Angeles apartment, authorities announced; the incident took place in a Century City two-story apartment building located at the 10300 block of West Bellwood Avenue early on September 12.
According to KTLA, Santos was apprehended in the City of Lebec, California around 8:00 p.m. on the night of the fatal fire, this arrest followed an investigation conducted by LAPD's West Bureau Homicide detectives who worked in coordination with the FBI/LAPD Fugitive Task Force and the California Highway Patrol to locate and detain the suspect, the Los Angeles Fire Department initially responded to the scene after smoke was spotted emanating from the second-floor apartment unit, and they also found the flames had been confined to the mattress.
The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, was rushed to the hospital in a critical state and later died from her injuries; the Los Angeles Police Department has yet to comment on the nature of the relationship, if any, between Santos and the woman, nor have they provided a possible motive for the crime, as CBS Los Angeles reported.
Santos is now being held on $2 million bail, booking records show he has been officially charged with murder under booking number 7090666, and the case is expected to be forwarded to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for potential filing of charges, per LAPD's announcement, shared by LAPD Online.
The LAPD is currently urging anyone with further information regarding this homicide to contact the West Bureau Homicide Division or to reach out anonymously through the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline or via the online web portal.
