bloodrayne
02-20-2004, 09:58 PM
Pasadena woman found stabbed, decapitated
Ex-boyfriend jumps in front of semi truck
PASADENA -- A woman was found stabbed and beheaded Monday morning, apparently the victim of an ex-boyfriend who later killed himself by jumping in front of a big-rig truck, authorities said.
Evidence suggests that Glenda Vittimberga, 37, an associate professor at Cal State Los Angeles, was killed in the kitchen of her home in the 1100 block of Medford Road, said Sgt. Tom Delgado of the Pasadena Police Department.
Vittimberga's body was found in the kitchen, her head in the living room fireplace, Delgado said.
Vittimberga had been an associate professor in the division of administration and counseling at Cal State L.A. since 1998. She lived alone, police said.
Yvonne Pizzo, a neighbor who lives across the street, described Vittimberga as a "beautiful person' and "brilliant girl' who had lived in the neighborhood for about three years.
"This is going to be a tremendous loss to everyone,' Pizzo said.
Police suspect Vittimberga was killed during a domestic dispute. Delgado would not release the suspect's name because the investigation will involve serving search warrants, he said. He was not sure how long the couple had been together and said they had broken up in the past few months.
Delgado said there was no indication that the man had been stalking Vittimberga or had exhibited violence toward her in the past.
Police found blood in the man's car, which was left at the scene of his suicide, Delgado said. Tests will be conducted to determine if the blood was Vittimberga's, Delgado said.
"Obviously, there's pretty strong speculation that it was him' who killed her, Delgado said.
The ex-boyfriend committed suicide at about 3:30 a.m. on Interstate 15 at Cajon Pass. Officer Patrick Kelhi of the California Highway Patrol said the man parked his car on the shoulder, stripped naked, and neatly placed his socks, shirt, jacket, wallet, keys and cell phone in the car.
Then he hurled himself in front of a passing tractor-trailer, killing himself instantly and causing the truck driver to hit another semi in an attempt to avoid the collision, Kelhi said.
Kelhi said no one else was hurt in the accident.
The Pasadena police went to Vittimberga's house after someone called them at about 4 a.m., and they became concerned about her welfare, Delgado said. When there was no answer at the door, police forced their way into the house where they discovered the body, he said.
Delgado said the knives that were likely used in the crime were left at the scene. It did not appear that Vittimberga had been sexually assaulted, he said.
The incident was the second homicide in Pasadena this year. There were four homicides in Pasadena in 2003.
Ex-boyfriend jumps in front of semi truck
PASADENA -- A woman was found stabbed and beheaded Monday morning, apparently the victim of an ex-boyfriend who later killed himself by jumping in front of a big-rig truck, authorities said.
Evidence suggests that Glenda Vittimberga, 37, an associate professor at Cal State Los Angeles, was killed in the kitchen of her home in the 1100 block of Medford Road, said Sgt. Tom Delgado of the Pasadena Police Department.
Vittimberga's body was found in the kitchen, her head in the living room fireplace, Delgado said.
Vittimberga had been an associate professor in the division of administration and counseling at Cal State L.A. since 1998. She lived alone, police said.
Yvonne Pizzo, a neighbor who lives across the street, described Vittimberga as a "beautiful person' and "brilliant girl' who had lived in the neighborhood for about three years.
"This is going to be a tremendous loss to everyone,' Pizzo said.
Police suspect Vittimberga was killed during a domestic dispute. Delgado would not release the suspect's name because the investigation will involve serving search warrants, he said. He was not sure how long the couple had been together and said they had broken up in the past few months.
Delgado said there was no indication that the man had been stalking Vittimberga or had exhibited violence toward her in the past.
Police found blood in the man's car, which was left at the scene of his suicide, Delgado said. Tests will be conducted to determine if the blood was Vittimberga's, Delgado said.
"Obviously, there's pretty strong speculation that it was him' who killed her, Delgado said.
The ex-boyfriend committed suicide at about 3:30 a.m. on Interstate 15 at Cajon Pass. Officer Patrick Kelhi of the California Highway Patrol said the man parked his car on the shoulder, stripped naked, and neatly placed his socks, shirt, jacket, wallet, keys and cell phone in the car.
Then he hurled himself in front of a passing tractor-trailer, killing himself instantly and causing the truck driver to hit another semi in an attempt to avoid the collision, Kelhi said.
Kelhi said no one else was hurt in the accident.
The Pasadena police went to Vittimberga's house after someone called them at about 4 a.m., and they became concerned about her welfare, Delgado said. When there was no answer at the door, police forced their way into the house where they discovered the body, he said.
Delgado said the knives that were likely used in the crime were left at the scene. It did not appear that Vittimberga had been sexually assaulted, he said.
The incident was the second homicide in Pasadena this year. There were four homicides in Pasadena in 2003.