UPDATE 1/11/19 — The situation has been ruled a murder-suicide, with a 49 year old man killing his 32 year old romantic partner and their 8 year old son. The man, woman and child, are all identified at as being from Willits.
Here is today’s coverage:
UPDATE 10:30 p.m. — A small bit of new information in this tragedy: The MCSO is indeed investigating this as a homicide, as “it appears the most likely scenario.” This according to Captain Greg Van Patten of the MCSO. And as of late this evening investigators were still working through the initial scene investigations.
Also, the apparent homicides occured in the 5000 block of Hearst Willits Rd. We previously called this part of the Little Lake Valley, but a closer look reveals that the location is likely just outside the Little Lake Valley, potentially in the ridge or just over the ridge in the small Rocktree Valley.
Most of the homes on this section of road have long driveways and several are not visible from the road.
We will continue to update as more info becomes available.
ORIGINAL
WILLITS, 1/10/19 — Three dead bodies were found at a residence in the Little Lake Valley, near Willits, after a concerned acquaintance asked for law enforcement to conduct a welfare check.
The person went to the house in the 5000 block of Hearst-Willits Road, where they reported seeing a pool of blood through the window. They then called the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, at around 2 p.m. When deputies arrived, they saw the blood through the window and entered the house, finding three dead bodies.
According to the press release from the MCSO, there was evidence, “suggesting the incident was homicide related.”
We will update as more information becomes avaliable, and The Mendo Voice has requested more information, and the press release says that more more information will be forthcoming once avaliable.
Here is the full press release from the MCSO:
DATE: “January 10, 2019”
MCSO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Incident Number:
2019-967
Crime/Incident:
Death Investigation – Suspicious Circumstances
Location:
5000 block of Hearst Willits Road in Willits, CA
Date of Incident:
01-10-2019
Time:
1:56 PM
Victim(s):
N/A
Suspect(s):
N/A
Written By:
Captain Gregory L. Van Patten #1184
Synopsis:
On 01-10-2019 at 1:56 PM the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center received a call from a concerned person asking for a welfare check at a residence located in the 5000 block of Hearst Willits Road in Willits, California.
The caller arrived at the residence attempting to contact the person who was living at the location. When the person did not answer the door the caller looked through a window and noticed the presence of a large amount of blood on the floor, prompting the requested welfare check.
Deputies arrived at the residence and observed the blood on the floor as the caller had reported.
Deputies made entry into the residence where they located three deceased people and evidence suggesting the incident was homicide related.
Sheriff’s Detectives were summoned to the scene and are conducting further investigations into incident at this time with the assistance of investigators with the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office.
Updated information will be released via a press release when releasable information becomes available.
Approved by:
Captain Gregory L. Van Patten #1184