Suspect arrested after elderly man stabbed to death, woman hospitalized in Murrieta home invasion

A homicide suspect was arrested for a stabbing attack that left an elderly man dead and his wife hospitalized in Murrieta.

The suspect was identified as Manual Arturo Alvarez, 36, of Modesto, according to the Murrieta Police Department.

On Nov. 5, around 8:18 a.m., the victim called police, saying a man had broken into her home on Old Spring Road. He allegedly stabbed her in the head with a screwdriver and stabbed her husband with a knife.

After the violent attack, the suspect fled through the home’s back door before officers arrived. The husband was pronounced dead at the scene. He was only identified as a 70-year-old man. The woman was taken to the hospital for treatment and remains in stable condition.

Shortly before 9 a.m., police located Alvarez hiding in a ravine behind a home on Wild Flower Drive. He refused to cooperate with officers’ commands and later concealed himself in nearby bushes. 

After several minutes of unsuccessful negotiation, a police K-9 was deployed and Alvarez was taken into custody. He was arrested for homicide and attempted homicide and booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center where he remains in custody. 

Police said Alvarez is a transient with no violent criminal history. Detectives believe the home invasion was random and that Alvarez may have entered through an open door.

“Unfortunately, the investigation at this point is not revealing any sort of connection between the suspect and the victims,” said Capt. Jeremy Durrant with Murriet police. “It appears to be a random incident.”

However, Durrant notes that, “We do believe the suspect was under the influence of some sort of narcotic.”

Neighbors told KTLA they’re shocked that the deadly incident happened in an otherwise peaceful area.

“He was a really quiet guy, he and his wife,” said neighbor Jose Morales. “All the neighbors here are really nice, neighborhood family people.”

No further details, including the victims’ identities, were released.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information on the case is encouraged to call Detective Munyer at 951-461-6365 or email tmunyer@murrietaca.gov.