Suspicious death turns to homicide as Grover Beach woman found stabbed to death
–UPDATE–
Police in Grover Beach have determined the woman found dead inside a home on Oct. 25, 2018, was stabbed to death. This is now being investigated as a homicide.
Investigators identified the victim as 64-year-old Grover Beach resident Athena Ilona Valentiny.
Police were dispatched to the 200 block of South 9th Street shortly after 11:30 a.m. for a welfare check of an adult woman. The investigation into her death quickly began soon after the grizzly discovery with the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office and the SLO County District Attorney’s Office joining the investigation.
Authorities are also trying to locate Valentiny’s dog who they say was a constant companion of hers. They believe the dog may have walked away from the home between Oct. 24 and Oct. 25, 2018. Anyone who may have seen or picked up a stray dog matching the one in the photograph released by police is asked to call the Grover Beach Police Department.
Investigators would like to speak to anyone who may have known Valentiny, who may have worked with her or may have seen anything out of the ordinary or suspicious on Wednesday or Thursday, Oct. 24 or 25, 2018.
Anyone with information regarding this homicide is urged to contact Sgt. Juan Leon at 805-473-4511 or email jleon@gbpd.org. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call the SLO County Crime Stoppers hotline at 805-549-7867.
ORIGINAL STORY
A suspicious death investigation is underway in Grover Beach after a woman was found dead inside a home Thursday morning.
Authorities with the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office and the SLO County District Attorney’s Office has joined the Grover Beach Police Department in the investigation.
Grover Beach police officers were dispatched to the home in the 200 block of S 9th Street at about 11:43 a.m. Oct. 25 for a welfare check of an adult woman.
Officers discovered a woman dead inside the home. Her name will not be released until her family has been notified.
The 200 block of S. 9th Street in Grover Beach is closed to cars and pedestrians for the investigation.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Sgt. Juan Leon at 805-473-4511 or email jleon@gbpd.org. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call the SLO County Crime Stoppers hotline at 805-549-7867.
No further details were immediately known. Check back for updates on this developing story.
