A 37-year-old Morgan Hill man was arrested Oct. 3 after he drove his dying wife to a San Jose hospital and told authorities he had killed her, according to police. Officers later found three children, ages 3, 6 and 14, during a search of the family's home, and the children were placed into county care.
Roy Anthony Lopez arrived at Good Samaritan Hospital with his wife, and according to morganhilltimes.com, San Jose police notified the Morgan Hill Police Department at about 9:20 a.m. that Lopez had arrived at the hospital and said he had killed his wife. First responders found the woman inside a vehicle parked at the hospital, and paramedics provided emergency care, but she was pronounced dead, per the same report. Her identity was not immediately known, according to NBC Bay Area.
San Jose police detained Lopez until Morgan Hill officers arrived, then took him into custody and transported him back to Morgan Hill for questioning, the station's report notes. As reported by CBS News, Lopez was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with his wife's death.
Children Found During Protective Sweep of Vintage Lane Home
Police said the alleged homicide occurred at a home on the 1100 block of Vintage Lane in Morgan Hill, per the preliminary investigation described by NBC Bay Area. Officers conducted a protective sweep of the home and found three children, ages 3, 6 and 14, inside. It was not immediately known whether the children were related to the victim or to Lopez, the outlet reported.
The three children were placed into the custody of the Santa Clara County Department of Family and Children's Services. Lopez's booking status has been described two different ways: morganhilltimes.com reported that he was booked at Santa Clara County Jail on a charge of murder, while NBC Bay Area reported he was booked into jail on suspicion of murder.
Domestic Violence Remains a Leading Factor in California Homicides of Women
The case adds to a pattern researchers have tracked statewide. Violence or conflict involving a current or former intimate partner was a contributing factor in nearly half of homicides among women in California, 47 percent, compared with 4 percent of homicides among men, according to the California Department of Public Health's 2019 homicide data.
Police are asking anyone with information about the case to call Sgt. Sean Beyard at 408-607-3032 or email [email protected]. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online, or by calling 1-800-222-8477.
