Arrest in Mexico linked to adopted daughter of former Santa Barbara resident

The adopted daughter of a former Santa Barbara resident has been arrested in Mexico for the death of her mother, Joyous Heart. The killing occurred in the family home.

Heart was killed earlier this month.

She had lived in Mexico more than ten years, and often helped out an an orphanage.

The victim previously lived in Santa Barbara and her name before it was changed was Joyce Schuman.

Her sister, Vikki told NewsChannel 3 she was contacted by authorities in Mexico that Heart’s adopted daughter, Noemi was in custody for the killing.

The family said they knew some difficulties were taking place but nothing that indicated this type of violence. “We knew from hearing from neighbors that there had been many loud arguments. The young woman is mentally ill,” said Vikki Hunt, the victim’s sister.

A longtime friend in Santa Barbara, Karin Smith-Warner called Heart a free spirit and willing to help everyone. In Mexico, where Smith-Warner made several visits to see her friend, she saw that Heart had many friends there.

“She considered turning her house into a halfway house for troubled girls,” said Smith-Warner.

A private memorial will be held in March in Santa Ynez.