San Mateo County has 6th domestic violence death this year, suspect arrested

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - Redwood City Police say they arrested a man late Sunday night in connection with the stabbing death of a woman inside their home. Police say it's a case of domestic violence, making it the 6th domestic violence death in San Mateo County this year.  

"We didn’t hear the sirens or anything but, in the morning, we did see all the cops, and they wouldn’t let any of us go outside because of what was happening," said Briana Vasquez, of Redwood City. 

On Sunday night at around 10:45, Redwood City Police say they responded to an assault call on 7th Avenue in Redwood City. Police say 57-year-old Juan Antonio Garcia made the call, telling police he’d just stabbed someone. After the police arrived at the home and found a woman inside with multiple stab wounds, they took Garica into custody. Vasquez lives across the street with her family.

"In the morning, she would take one of the kids out and the bus would pick them up around 7:30 in the morning, but that was pretty much it. We didn’t really see any of them around," said Vasquez.   

Police say there were multiple witnesses inside the home when the stabbing occurred, but the victim’s identity has not been released. CORA, or Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse, is an advocacy group serving San Mateo County.

"It was not so long ago that it was rare that there was a murder in San Mateo County and lately, any time there is a murder, it’s related to domestic violence," said Lynn Schuette, for CORA

CORA says in 2023, it received 10,257 calls to its crisis hotline, including referrals from law enforcement. In the most recent domestic violence case in September, Grace Marie Kelly was shot twice and killed by her boyfriend, Aubrey Charles Avery, in Daly City. Schuette works with CORA and says stress, among other things, contributes to the level of violence in our communities.

"You know we have a very disconnected society. A lot of people are on their phones, on their computers. Losing the ability to really communicate effectively with each other," said Schuette. 

Police have not told KTVU about a motive in this case. 

If you or someone you know needs help, call CORA or click the link for help.