At a Glance
- A Glendale firefighter was detained after a woman was discovered dead inside his North Hollywood home.
- LAPD officers found the woman around 4 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21.
- The suspect and the victim have yet to be publicly identified.
- Why it matters: The case marks a rare instance of a first responder being held in connection with a homicide investigation.
A Southern California firefighter is in custody after a woman was found dead inside his North Hollywood home in what authorities have confirmed was a homicide.
Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to a welfare check in the 5600 block of Satsuma Avenue around 4 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21. There, they discovered the woman deceased.
The discovery followed an earlier encounter several miles away. The suspect had waved down a police unit and told officers he was unable to reach his wife, according to FOX 11.
He also told them he had gotten into an altercation with his wife, NBC4 reported, citing LAPD sources.
LAPD officer Tony Im confirmed the woman found dead at the home, believed to be in her 50s, was a victim of a homicide.
The suspect was taken into custody.
“This appears to be an isolated incident and there’s no threat to public safety,” Im told News Of Los Angeles. “The person has not been formally booked yet.”
The Glendale City Manager’s Office confirmed that the suspect, who has not been publicly identified, is a member of the Glendale Fire Department.
“The incident happened off duty and offsite,” Domenica Megerdichian, an assistant to the Glendale City Manager, told News Of Los Angeles. “It’s an ongoing investigation.”
According to FOX 11, the woman had injuries consistent with what appeared to be blunt force trauma.
Authorities believe she may have been bludgeoned to death. An axe was also found at the scene, per the outlet.
The investigation is ongoing.
