Man Commits Suicide after Fatally Stabbing Estrange Wife and Mother-and-Law

January 10, 2008

Los Angeles:  Police say early this morning, Walter Garcia, 38, committed suicide by jumping off a Pasadena bridge after he fatally stabbed his estranged wife and mother-and-law.  

The incident unfolded around 8:45 AM, when patrol officers were dispatched to a stabbing call in the 6800 block of Quinton Road, in Tujunga.  Officers arrived and found Carmen Quiles, 73, lying on the sidewalk in front of the family residence with multiple stab wounds.  She died at the scene, authorities said.

Police also found Damaris Quiles, 35, the ex-wife of Garcia, suffering from multiple stab wounds.  She was taken to a local hospital where she later died.

An hour later, Garcia drove to the Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena and took his own life.  Pasadena police responded to the bridge and tried to negotiate with Garcia before his death.

According to detectives, Garcia returned to the residence in violation of a domestic violence restraining order.  After an argument inside the residence a fight broke out between the former couple.  The fight spilled into the street where Garcia stabbed his estrange wife.  The elderly Quiles walked out of the house to see what the commotion was about and tried to intervene.  Garcia became angry and fatally stabbed her, police said.

The estrange couple 6-year-old son and Damari’s dependent brother are now in the care of family members.

Anyone with information is asked to call Foothill Area Homicide Detectives at 818-834-3115.  
During off-hours or on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).