Los Angeles: On Friday, February 11, 2005, at about 11:30 p.m., 35 year-old Agustin Juan Barragan strangled his wife, Maria, to death at their home in the 17800 block of Miranda Street.

The couple was involved in an argument that escalated to physical violence. Agustin Barragan strangled his 28 year-old wife to death and then unsuccessfully tried to kill himself by cutting his wrists. Barragan left his house and went to a relative's home and told them what he had done. Barragan's relatives were driving him to West Valley Community Police Station when they flagged down a passing black and white police vehicle.

Because of Barragan's injuries, the officers called for an ambulance and Los Angeles City Fire Department paramedics took Barragan to a local hospital for treatment. Officers went to the Barragan's residence and discovered the lifeless body of Maria, in the bathtub. The Barragan's two children, a 6 year-old girl and a 10 year-old boy, were found sleeping in their bedroom.

Agustin Barragan was booked for Murder (187 PC) and is being held on $1,000,000 bail.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is asked to contact West Valley Homicide Detectives, at 818-374-7730. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

This news advisory was prepared by the Los Angeles Police Department's Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.