Santa Maria saw a particularly violent Easter weekend this year that left local law enforcement investigating a homicide, a stabbing, an attempted murder, and the discovery of a charred body, which is being considered a suspicious death by local law enforcement.
The busy weekend began at 9:25 p.m. on April 14, when officers from the Santa Maria Police Department (SMPD) responded to the area of Blosser and Pershing where they found a juvenile male who was stabbed multiple times, according to the SMPD's Lt. Jesse Silva, who said the boy was treated at a nearby hospital and is in stable condition.
No one was arrested as the suspects apparently fled the scene before the police arrived, Silva said. The SMPD said the stabbing appears to be gang-related.
Then, at approximately 3 a.m. on April 16, or Easter morning, deputies from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office responded to the 200 block of Aldebaran Avenue in Vandenberg Village where 21-year-old Cristian Arebalo had reportedly become violent with his family and was standing in front of his house armed with a handgun.
Sgt. Garrett TeSlaa from the Sheriff's Office said Arebalo fired one round while officers were present. Arebalo retreated back into the house as the Sheriff's Office, Lompoc Police Department, and California Highway Patrol swarmed the unincorporated community with more officers. The Sheriff's Special Enforcement Team and Hostage Negotiation Team also arrived on scene, TeSlaa said.
After less than two hours, Arebalo peacefully surrendered and was booked into the county jail on suspicion of attempted murder, TeSlaa said
Shortly after the Arebalo incident, deputies were called to the 100 block of Goodwin Drive in Orcutt where they found the body of 28-year-old Elyse Marie Erwin, who reportedly suffered a gunshot wound to the head. TeSlaa said law enforcement is calling her death a homicide. No one had been arrested as of the Sun's April 18 press time.
At 12:48 p.m., hours after Erwin was found, the SMPD was called to the 500 block of W. Foster Road where they found the body of a deceased woman.
SMPD Detective Paul Flores said that the woman's death was determined to be a suicide, and that the investigation was handed over to the Sheriff's Office.
Flores would not confirm media reports that the woman's body was found burning or charred.
Anyone with information regarding the Erwin homocide is encouraged to contact the SMPD at 928-3781.
