A California man has been arrested after the husband of a woman allegedly killed reported finding him “pacing” inside their home.
Authorities responding to an assault call at a National City, Calif. residence last week discovered Wanda Taylor with “traumatic injuries.” She was later pronounced dead, according to the National City Police Department.
While police did not initially release the victim’s name, her husband identified her as 71-year-old Wanda Taylor, as reported by Times of San Diego, NBC 7, and ABC 10.
Wanda was found stabbed in a pool of blood by her husband, Ernest Taylor, on Wednesday, Aug. 20. Ernest said he discovered both his wife and the alleged killer after returning from a painting project, telling NBC 7:
“He was right there. He was pacing up, he was like mumbling like crazy words. That’s why I just left, and I saw my wife lying down underneath a blanket.”
He also described parts of his home being in disarray.
“My whole upstairs is all disheveled and the kitchen. He took pictures off the wall — house portraits of my wife and grandkids — and put them in my recycle bin,” Ernest said.
Authorities have arrested Noel Trevino in connection with Wanda’s death. When officers first arrived at the home following Ernest’s 911 call, Trevino allegedly fled on foot before being apprehended. Police added that he attempted to escape again but was unsuccessful.
Trevino faces one count of homicide and is scheduled to be arraigned Monday, Aug. 25, after a previous arraignment set for Friday was postponed due to health concerns, according to ABC 10.
Wanda had worked with the San Diego Unified School District, assisting with special education and supporting young teen mothers, per ABC 10.
On Friday, Ernest appeared at the courthouse with Wanda’s friends and family, expressing the deep bond he shared with his wife:
“She’s loved from the East Coast to the West Coast,” he said. “90 percent of the time, we would just do stuff together. We’re theatre buffs, it was wonderful.”
