Los Angeles: On Thursday, March 18, 2004, at approximately 10:30 a.m., Wilshire Area Patrol Officers responded to the 1500 block of South Hipoint Street for a possible homicide investigation. Upon their arrival, the officers were met by a man, who stated he had returned home and found his wife dead.

Further investigation revealed the man had strangled his wife earlier that morning and had attempted to make it look as though someone else had committed the crime. He was arrested and booked for the murder of his wife.

The victim has been identified as 20 year old Jennifer Pineda, and her husband, 24 year old Ludvin Santa Maria. Both were residents of the Hipoint Street address.

Wilshire Homicide Detectives Cade and Parshall are conducting the investigation and can be reached at 213-473-0444.

This news advisory was prepared by Officer Don Cox, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.