A married couple found dead during a welfare check in Santa Monica last month died in a murder-suicide, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.
Officers found the two adults dead from gunshot wounds Oct. 16 in the 2400 block of Fourth Street, police said in their weekly "Blue Notebook" recap covering Oct. 11-17. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined that the husband died by suicide and that the wife was a homicide victim. Police said officers recovered a firearm at the scene.
Investigators determined the incident was isolated and found no sign of an ongoing threat to the community, police said. Their names were not released in the report.
Animal Control impounded six cats from the Fourth Street home. The department said the animals received care and that it has started placement or adoption with next of kin and rescue partners. Animal Control also impounded 13 cats after another owner died that week.
Officers made 98 arrests during the week. The department said its patrol and specialized units focused on domestic violence, weapons violations, narcotics, theft, burglary, wanted people and recurring quality-of-life problems in Downtown, Palisades Park, the Pico Neighborhood and other areas that generate many calls.
Other incidents listed in the report:
- In the 1300 block of Fourth Street, officers arrested a suspect after witnesses stepped in when a woman was reportedly being strangled. A bystander who tried to help was attacked.
- At 20th Street and Idaho Avenue, officers found a stolen vehicle and arrested the suspect at the scene.
- In the 1300 block of the Third Street Promenade, officers found a theft suspect on a Big Blue Bus. They recovered the stolen merchandise along with a concealed weapon, pepper spray and drug paraphernalia.
- The department's Crime Impact Team took part in a countywide parole and probation operation. Nine checks in Santa Monica led to three felony arrests and the recovery of a loaded, unregistered firearm, narcotics and paraphernalia.
- Officers detained a person reported in the back yard of an occupied home. Police said the person was on parole for stalking.
Police also gave an update on a fatal crash. A pedestrian critically injured Oct. 2 in the 1300 block of Ocean Avenue died Oct. 11. The driver was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI, and investigators are working with prosecutors following the death, police said.
In a separate case, officers arrested a driver on suspicion of DUI at 34th Street and Pico Boulevard after the driver was reported asleep at the wheel at the intersection.
Traffic officers made 253 stops during the week, issuing 139 citations and 110 advisals. They focused on construction corridors, Pacific Coast Highway, Downtown, Wilshire Boulevard, the 200-700 blocks of 26th Street, and 21st and Marine streets, among other areas where residents had complained.
The Homeless Liaison Program responded to 175 radio calls and logged 153 self-initiated activities, 26 citations, 13 arrests and eight encampment contacts. It made six referrals to SAMO Bridge or SamoShel. Police said two people who had previously turned down services accepted shelter placements at SamoPalm and SamoShel. The team also connected a person who wanted to return to Illinois with the Salvation Army's Project Homecoming.
Through Oct. 17, calls for service this year totaled 102,494, up 4.6% from the same period in 2025. Arrests rose 62.2%, to 4,306 from 2,654. Officer-initiated activity increased 20.2%, to 47,641. Resident-initiated calls fell 6%, to 54,853.
Officers also went to neighborhood meetings held by Virginia Avenue Park, the Ocean Park Association and Friends of Sunset Park. They met with Santa Monica Pier arcade employees about de-escalation and reporting, and gave a traffic safety presentation to transitional kindergarten students at the Village School's temporary Colorado Center campus. Community Engagement Team members joined the police chief and the city manager at a meeting about recent burglaries at a property just outside the city's jurisdiction, and they discussed ways to improve security in the nearby Palisades Park area.
Individuals in distress can call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.