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Medical Examiner says Fallbrook woman killed by dogs; rules death 'accidental;' canines now described as American Bulldogs

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office has reported that an autopsy conducted on a 30-year-old Fallbrook woman found dead Sunday evening, Nov. 11, revealed she was killed by dogs on the property. In the report, it states her cause of death as "accidental" and cites "multiple penetrating, mauling, and blunt force injuries."

Based on evidence at the scene, it appears the single, Hispanic woman, who was housesitting for the owners of the property, may have been trying to break up a fight between some canines now described as "American Bulldogs" when she was fatally injured.

"At the scene, the Medical Examiner thought it looked like she had tried to break up a fight between dogs that were loose on the property when they turned on her," said Sheriff's Detective Dan Laibach.

Laibach said there were a total of eight dogs on the property and that the individual who found the victim was able to put six back in cages, but could not catch two of the canines.

"A garden hose was also found (running) near the victim, so it is thought the woman may have been trying to break up a dogfight with the hose," said Laibach.

Laibach reported that authorities at the scene initially felt it looked like the woman had been bitten in the femoral artery and "bled out."

"After that, it appears that the dogs chewed on her," he added.

Authorities previously said that if the woman's death was attributed to the canines, the case would be turned over to the San Diego County Dept. of Animal Control.

"If the dogs are deemed dangerous, they could be put down," said Laibach, who confirmed that animal control authorities currently have all eight dogs from the property impounded.

The Department of Animal Control will continue the investigation to determine whether or not any criminal charges will be filed against the homeowners.

The woman's remains were discovered by a female family member, authorities said, who placed an emergency call that day about 5:15 p.m. after she went to check on the woman's welfare.

Sheriff's Sgt. Brian Jenkins said that responding deputies had to call in animal control officers to secure the canines.

Authorities said that when deputies checked the residence for any other victims on the date of the incident, they discovered that marijuana was being grown in a rear bedroom.

"The marijuana grow consisted of 24 plants." It was stated that investigators with the Narcotics Task Force were called in to seize the grow operation and they will be handling that investigation.

Laibach said local deputies did respond to a call at the same property in 2010 when it was reported that a canine on the property had bitten a pizza delivery person.

"Other than that, we have not responded to any other complaints at that house," said Laibach.

The full name of the victim has still not been released, but it appears her last name was Romero.

(previous story, Tues., November 13, 2012, 10 a.m.)

Autopsy tentatively scheduled for today on 30-year-old Fallbrook woman

Debbie Ramsey

Managing Editor

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office has stated an autopsy will be conducted today (Tues., November 13) on a 30-year-old Fallbrook woman found dead Sunday evening, November 11.

The woman, now described by the Medical Examiner as a single, Hispanic female, was found in the backyard of a property located in the 1300 block of Calle Tecolotan. A group of approximately eight Old English Bulldogges were in the area where the body was and it appeared the body had been mauled by some of the canines.

"Fire personnel responded and confirmed her death at the scene," the Medical Examiner stated.

The woman's body was found by her cousin, who made the initial emergency call about 5:15 p.m. that day.

It was stated that the woman had been house-sitting for the owner of the property.

Responding deputies had to call in animal control officers to secure the dogs. The canines have since been impounded pending the outcome of the investigation.

The Medical Examiner will determine the cause of the woman's death and whether or not she suffered any other injuries or medical conditions prior to the interaction of the part of the dogs.

The woman's name has not yet been released by authorities.

(previous story, Tues., Nov. 13, 2012, 9 a.m.)

Dogs appear to have mauled body of 30-year-old woman found in Fallbrook backyard

FALLBROOK - An investigation continues into what is now being called "the possible mauling death" of a woman whose bloodied body was found in a North County backyard along with eight large dogs, sheriff's officials reported.

The 30-year-old victim's cousin made an emergency call about 5:15 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10 to report finding her relative's body while checking on her at the home in the 1300 block of Calle Tecolotan in Fallbrook, Sgt. Brian Jenkins said.

Deputies had to call animal-control officers to secure a group of dogs, described as "Olde English Bulldogges." running loose in the yard.

The dead woman's injuries were "consistent with dog bites," Sgt. Victor Perry said. He added, however, that a cause-of-death ruling would remain on hold pending autopsy findings.

Given the wounds on the woman's body, further examination will have to determine if the woman suffered any other injuries or medical conditions prior to the interaction of the part of the dogs.

The victim had been housesitting for the owners of the home while they were out of town, according to Jenkins. Her name was withheld pending family notification.

The county Animal Services Department impounded the dogs, agency spokesman Dan DeSousa said.

The decedent was a 30 year-old single Hispanic female resident of Fallbrook. On 11/11/2012, she was found deceased at a home in Fallbrook. Fire personnel responded and confirmed her death at the scene. It appeared that she had been mauled by one or more of the owner's dogs.

Cause of Death/Updated Cause of Death: Multiple penetrating, mauling, and blunt force injuries

Contributing Conditions: None

Manner: Accident

(previous story, Tues., Nov. 13, 2012)

Woman may have been trying to break up dogfight when killed; autopsy to be done today

Debbie Ramsey

Managing Editor

Investigators said today (Tuesday, Nov. 13) that the 30-year old single, Hispanic woman who was discovered dead in the backyard of a Fallbrook home located in the 1300 block of Calle Tecolotan on Sunday evening, Nov. 11, may have been trying to break up a fight between some canines described as "Olde English Bulldogges" when she was fatally injured.

"At the scene, the Medical Examiner thought it looked like she had tried to break up a fight between dogs that were loose on the property when they turned on her," said Sheriff's Detective Dan Laibach.

Laibach said there were a total of eight dogs on the property and that the individual who found the victim was able to put six back in cages, but could not catch two of the canines.

"A garden hose was also found (running) near the victim, so it is thought the woman may have been trying to break up a dogfight with the hose," said Laibach.

Laibach reported that authorities at the scene initially felt it looked like the woman had been bitten in the femoral artery and "bled out."

"After that, it appears that the dogs chewed on her," he added.

Whether or not the dogs were indeed responsible for the woman's death or not will be confirmed by the San Diego County Medical Examiner. An autopsy of the woman's body has been scheduled to take place this week.

"The autopsy will determine whether her death was a result of foul play or by the dogs," said Laibach.

Once the autopsy results are final, the case will be reviewed by the Sheriff's Homicide division, Laibach said.

If foul play is suspected, Homicide investigators will handle the case. If the death is attributable to the canines, the case will be turned over to San Diego County Animal Control.

"If the dogs are deemed dangerous, they could be put down," said Laibach, who confirmed that animal control authorities currently have all eight dogs from the property impounded.

The woman's remains were discovered by her cousin, authorities said, who placed an emergency call that day about 5:15 p.m. after she went to check on the woman's welfare.

Sheriff's Sgt. Brian Jenkins said that responding deputies had to call in animal control officers to secure the canines.

Laibach said local deputies did respond to a call at the same property in 2010 when it was reported that a canine on the property had bitten a pizza delivery person.

"Other than that, we have not responded to any other complaints at that house," said Laibach.

Jenkins said that authorities were told the victim had been house-sitting for the owners of the home while they were out of town.

"The woman worked doing house cleaning and house sitting for people," said Laibach.

The full name of the victim had not been released as of press time, but it was confirmed her last name was Romero and she was a resident of Fallbrook.

Watch this website for updates to this case as they become available.

(previous story, Tues., November 13, 2012, 10 a.m.)

Autopsy tentatively scheduled for today on 30-year-old Fallbrook woman

Debbie Ramsey

Managing Editor

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office has stated an autopsy will be conducted today (Tues., November 13) on a 30-year-old Fallbrook woman found dead Sunday evening, November 11.

The woman, now described by the Medical Examiner as a single, Hispanic female, was found in the backyard of a property located in the 1300 block of Calle Tecolotan. A group of approximately eight Old English Bulldogges were in the area where the body was and it appeared the body had been mauled by some of the canines.

"Fire personnel responded and confirmed her death at the scene," the Medical Examiner stated.

The woman's body was found by her cousin, who made the initial emergency call about 5:15 p.m. that day.

It was stated that the woman had been house-sitting for the owner of the property.

Responding deputies had to call in animal control officers to secure the dogs. The canines have since been impounded pending the outcome of the investigation.

The Medical Examiner will determine the cause of the woman's death and whether or not she suffered any other injuries or medical conditions prior to the interaction of the part of the dogs.

The woman's name has not yet been released by authorities.

(previous story, Tues., Nov. 13, 2012, 9 a.m.)

Dogs appear to have mauled body of 30-year-old woman found in Fallbrook backyard

FALLBROOK - An investigation continues into what is now being called "the possible mauling death" of a woman whose bloodied body was found in a North County backyard along with eight large dogs, sheriff's officials reported.

The 30-year-old victim's cousin made an emergency call about 5:15 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10 to report finding her relative's body while checking on her at the home in the 1300 block of Calle Tecolotan in Fallbrook, Sgt. Brian Jenkins said.

Deputies had to call animal-control officers to secure a group of dogs, described as "Olde English Bulldogges." running loose in the yard.

The dead woman's injuries were "consistent with dog bites," Sgt. Victor Perry said. He added, however, that a cause-of-death ruling would remain on hold pending autopsy findings.

Given the wounds on the woman's body, further examination will have to determine if the woman suffered any other injuries or medical conditions prior to the interaction of the part of the dogs.

The victim had been housesitting for the owners of the home while they were out of town, according to Jenkins. Her name was withheld pending family notification.

The county Animal Services Department impounded the dogs, agency spokesman Dan DeSousa said.

(previous story, Mon., Nov. 11, 2012, 8:30 a.m.)

Body of 30-year-old woman found in Fallbrook backyard; investigation underway

FALLBROOK - An investigation is underway today into the death of a 30-year-old woman whose body was found in the backyard of a Fallbrook home along with several large dogs who had to be rounded up by animal control, authorities said.

Deputies were called to the home in the 1300 block of Calle Tecolotan just before 5:15 p.m. Sunday, according to San Diego County sheriff's Sgt. Brian Jenkins.

A woman who identified herself as the victim's cousin said she went to the home to check on her relative's welfare and found the body, the sergeant said in a statement.

When deputies arrived, they had to call animal control officers to secure several large dogs running loose in the backyard, Jenkins said.

The county coroner's office also was called to the home, according to Jenkins.

The woman was house-sitting for the homeowners, who were out of town, he said.

Her name and city of residence were not immediately released.

The official cause of death and nature of death were under investigation.

 

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