CAPITOLA—A man and a woman died in what police believe to be a murder-suicide in Capitola and Aptos.
The Capitola Police Department on Monday said that, through preliminary evidence, investigators linked the killing of 65-year-old Alice Jane Daugherty on the 4300 block of Diamond Street in Capitola to her estranged husband, Michael Patrick Daugherty, 62, who was found dead at his home on Alta Drive in Aptos.
CPD said Michael Daugherty died of an apparent suicide.
Alice Daugherty had visible trauma to her body, however, an autopsy will be performed later today to determine the cause of death, authorities said.
CPD said officers received a call to check on Alice Daugherty after her daughter, who lives outside of the county, called police when she was unable to contact her over the weekend.
Officers around 12:30pm found Alice Daugherty dead.
Evidence collected at the scene led officers to believe that Michael Daugherty was responsible for her death, according to CPD.
Over the course of the day investigators, in concert with the Santa Cruz County DA’s Office and members of the California DOJ Forensic Team, processed the crime scene on Diamond Street and were able to track down evidence which led them to Michael Daugherty’s Aptos residence.
Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to call CPD at 831-475-4242.
