At times, Irvine has been classified as the safest city in America. With that noted, a double murder in an otherwise quiet Irvine neighborhood shocked the community. The double murder happened on a cul-de-sac nestled in an Irvine neighborhood that is home to many families raising their children.
The victims of the crime were a mother and her adult son. Another adult son shared the residence but initially was said not to be home at the time of the homicides. The father of the two adult sons also resides at the residence but was not home at the time of the murder. The murders occurred at about one o’clock in the afternoon.
The perpetrator of the double murder was arrested at the scene of the crime, but police released no specific information about the man. The police did not that the murder was thought to be the result of some sort of domestic disturbance and the alleged killer was believed to be somehow related to the deceased victims. No specific immediate motive for the crime was announced by law enforcement.
Investigating the Irvine Double Murder Scene
The Irvine Police Department, together with the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office, spent the remainder of the day investigating the crime scene. The on-site investigation wrapped up in the early evening.
During this process, the bodies of the victims were transported to the LA Coroner’s Office for forensic examination, including autopsies. When the on-site investigation ended and the bodies were removed, the crime scene – the residence – was turned over to the other residents of the home, the surviving son and his father. The remaining residents became responsible for overseeing the crime scene cleanup of the property.
Crime Scene Cleanup in Irvine
One misconception is that the police department or coroner’s staff is responsible for crime scene cleanup. That is not the case. These governmental agencies have no responsibility for crime scene cleanup.
The owner of a home in which a murder occurred has the responsibility for crime scene cleanup. Despite this responsibility, the reality is that in the interests of physical and emotional health, crime scene cleanup of this nature is best left to a professional.
The emotional challenges associated with losing a family member to murder are profound. There is no need to add to that pain by a family member dealing with crime scene cleanup personally.
In addition, dangerous pathogens can exist at the scene of a murder. Blood and bodily fluids can contain dangerous, even life-threatening, pathogens. There are experienced crime scene cleanup professionals that can undertake this type of remediation following a murder.
Son Charged With Murder
Several days after the murders, the prosecuting attorney announced that in fact, the other son was responsible for killing his mother and brother. The prosecutor announced that both sons lived in the residence with their father, the mother – who was also killed – residing somewhere else. However, she was a frequent visitor to the residence where she and her son were killed. When announcing charges, the prosecutor did not elaborate on a specific motive for the murders.
The prosecutor also announced that the crime involved special circumstances, because of multiple people being killed. This means that the death penalty potentially can be sought in the prosecution of the alleged killer.
Irvine, California, Crime Rate Data
As mentioned, at different times, Irvine has been considered as the safest community in the United States. The current crime rate in Irvine is significantly below that of the rest of the country.
The violent crime rate in Irvine is ranked at 21 on a scale of 100, with the national average of 31. Crimes classified in this category are:
- Murder
- Rape
- Robbery
- Aggravated assault
The property crime rate in Irvine is also at 21 out of 100, with the national average at 38. These crimes include crimes involving the taking of something of value without force or a threat of force.
Grief and Bereavement Counselors and Therapists in Irvine
There are a number of grief and bereavement counselors and therapists that can assist someone after losing someone under traumatic circumstances like murder. Counselors and therapists in Irvine provide one on one counseling. They also offer resources for group grief counseling as well. Should someone need a prescription, they do make referrals to psychiatrists to meet medication needs. These therapists and counselors include:
2192 Martin Street, Suite 150
Irvine, California 92612
(949) 559-6600
Candace Moore
4050 Barranca Parkway
Irvine, California 92604
(949) 551-0252
Julia Schreier
4010 Barranca Parkway
Irvine, California 92604
(949) 552-5600