On Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, shortly after 6:30 a.m., deputies were called to the 26000 block of Laurelwood Lane in San Juan Capistrano in reference to a domestic incident, according to the Orange County Sheriff.
Deputies arrived and located a woman in her 60s deceased from apparent stab wounds in the garage.
The suspect, a man in his 60s was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening wounds.
Once released, he will be booked into jail on suspicion of homicide. The victim and suspect are believed to be estranged spouses who both lived at the residence.
The victim’s identity will be released following official identification by the Coroner Division. The suspect’s identity will be released after he has been booked into Orange County Jail.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Detail is handling this investigation.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7000. Anonymous tips can be sent to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at ocsheriff.gov/occrimestoppers.
Legal Penalties Faced by the Suspect
In California, the suspect in this San Juan Capistrano incident faces severe penalties if convicted of homicide under Penal Code 187, which governs the unlawful killing of a human being.
The specific penalties depend on the degree of the charge filed by the Orange County District Attorney:
Potential Prison Sentences
- First-Degree Murder: If the killing is found to be willful, deliberate, and premeditated, the standard penalty is 25 years to life in state prison.
- Second-Degree Murder: If the killing was intentional but not premeditated, the penalty is typically 15 years to life.
- Life Without Parole (LWOP) or Death Penalty: These extreme penalties apply if “special circumstances” are proven, such as murder involving torture or murder for financial gain. While California has a moratorium on executions, the death penalty remains a legal option.
Additional Penalties and Factors
- Sentence Enhancements: The use of a deadly weapon (such as the knife used in this stabbing) can add consecutive prison time to the base sentence.
- Fines and Restitution: A conviction can carry a fine of up to $10,000, plus mandatory restitution payments to the victim’s estate or family.
- “Three Strikes” Law: Murder is classified as a “violent felony,” meaning it counts as a strike under California’s Three Strikes law, significantly increasing penalties for any future offenses.