Sep 19, 2008 3:52 pm US/Pacific
Cops Suspect O.C. Woman Slain By Someone She Knew
SANTA ANA (AP) ―
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Police theorize that murder victim Darlene Saddler knew her killer.
CBS
An autopsy was under way Friday on the body of a woman found slain in her Santa Ana home and investigators are following leads indicating the suspect was likely someone the woman knew.
Santa Ana police Cmdr. Steve Colon said rumors circulated Thursday that the slaying may be linked to a home-invasion robbery gone wrong were "not considered the most likely scenario" at this point.
"Nothing is ruled out but in terms of likelihood, it's more likely to be someone the family knew," Colon said.
The victim's son, who appeared to be in his 20s, discovered the body when he arrived at the home at 2792 N. Lowell Lane around 2:10 p.m. Thursday, Santa Ana police Cpl. Jose Gonzalez said.
While conducting a search in the home, officers found a young child in another room, Gonzalez said. The child's age and relationship to the woman was not released, but neighbors told reporters the woman had a 4-year-old daughter.
Police have not released the name of the woman, but Colon said it may be provided later Friday.
He would not provide details about her wounds or describe the scene where she was found.
The child was interviewed by police.
"She did provide us with some information," Colon said. "Whether it's significant or not I can't say."
Earlier Gonzales told the Orange County Register, "It appears everything happened inside the house. There are just a select few who know what occurred."
Bloodhounds from the Orange County Sheriff's Department were brought to the scene. One of the dogs headed toward the Garden Grove (22) Freeway, but the trail ended there, Gonzalez said Thursday.
Neighbors told the Register the victim was in her 30s and began renting the home about a month ago.
Anyone with information was asked to call the Santa Ana Police Department at (714) 245-8390.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
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