What began as a tense evening dispute inside a San Diego apartment ended with a horrifying fall — and a murder charge that’s now shaking a quiet residential community.
A 61-year-old woman has died after allegedly being thrown from a third-story balcony in San Diego, prompting the arrest of her 57-year-old boyfriend on suspicion of murder.
The incident occurred on the evening of Monday, May 12, at an apartment building located in the 500 block of W San Ysidro Boulevard.
A view of the apartment complex where the tragedy occurred, as seen in a video dated May 16, 2025 | Source: YouTube/fox5sd
San Diego Police Department (SDPD) officers were dispatched to the scene at approximately 7:21 p.m. after receiving reports of a woman being thrown from a balcony.
Upon arrival, officers located the victim, identified as Irene Williams, lying in the building’s courtyard. She had suffered severe head trauma and a broken femur. Emergency medical services transported Williams to a nearby hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
A distant shot of the apartment complex where the unfortunate incident happened, as seen in a video shared on May 16, 2025 | Source: YouTube/fox5sd
According to police, witnesses at the scene described the incident and provided a description of the suspect, leading to the immediate arrest of Albert Turner. He was taken into custody at the location and booked into the county jail. Turner is facing a single count of murder.
Investigators believe the incident stemmed from an argument between the two individuals inside Williams’ apartment earlier that evening.
The suspect, Albert Turner, is being taken into custody by a policeman, as seen in a video dated May 16, 2025 | Source: YouTube/fox5sd
At some point during the dispute, Williams allegedly began throwing Turner’s belongings over the balcony railing. Police say Turner is then accused of picking Williams up and throwing her over the same railing onto the concrete below.
While the building is identified as a senior living complex, ABC 10 News reports that not all of the residents are seniors. Authorities had initially stated they could not confirm whether the case was connected to domestic violence, but indicated it was a strong possibility.
On Thursday, May 15, Turner appeared in court for the first time following his arrest. He pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder in connection with the death of Williams.
The hearing marks the beginning of legal proceedings in a case that has drawn significant attention within the San Ysidro community.
The San Diego Police Homicide Unit is leading the investigation. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
Just two months earlier, a separate case of suspected domestic violence made headlines overseas. According to a Portuguese publication, Larissa Rodrigues, 37, was found dead in her apartment in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, on March 22, 2025.
At the time, she was reportedly experiencing marital difficulties with her husband, Dr. Luís Antônio Garnica, 38.
Garnica claimed he discovered Rodrigues unresponsive on the bathroom floor in their shared apartment. As a healthcare professional, he attempted to revive her by moving her to the bed, but his efforts were unsuccessful.
Emergency services, Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência (SAMU) or the Mobile Emergency Attendance Service, declared her dead at the scene. Although the autopsy results were inconclusive, they pointed to potential complications involving her lungs and heart
A subsequent toxicology report confirmed the presence of “chumbinho,” a type of poison, raising suspicions of poisoning. Police believe that Rodrigues was poisoned gradually over an extended period. She had reportedly discovered her husband’s infidelity before her death.
According to Maísa Ramos—a businesswoman and friend of Rodrigues—the teacher had been under constant surveillance and harassment by her husband. Ramos said the couple’s relationship had lost all affection and intimacy.
They had not gone out or traveled together for at least a year and a half. Still, Garnica remained fixated on Rodrigues’s whereabouts and frequently accompanied her throughout her daily routines.
He allegedly installed tracking devices in her car and on her phone. Ramos revealed, “He was so jealous that he put a tracker in her car. Last year, she found out that there was a tracker in her car, even though she was just a woman who would go from home to work, from work back home, and to the gym.”
On May 6, police arrested Garnica and his mother, Elizabete Arrabaça, on suspicion of qualified homicide. Arrabaça was reportedly the last person to see Rodrigues alive. The charges carry a prison sentence ranging from 12 to 30 years, which may be extended if the victim was a spouse, partner, or family member.
A Facebook video showed the moment police cuffed and arrested the victim’s husband. Ramos, who had known the victim for over 12 years, shared that she had spent enough time with the couple to witness troubling patterns. Early on, she observed Garnica’s disrespectful behavior toward his wife.
“He was somewhat abusive to her, making tasteless jokes, mocking her appearance a bit, and belittling her in a rather rude way. However, she would deny it, saying it was just how he was,” Ramos said during an interview.
Although the couple was often seen together, their dynamic changed after Garnica began a postgraduate course in São Paulo. He then became more emotionally distant and avoided public interactions with his wife, leading her to suspect an affair.
One of Rodrigues’ cousins told Civil Police that in early March, she found wine bottle stoppers marked with handwritten dates. She also discovered a box of sex toys in her husband’s car, which further fueled suspicions of infidelity.
A few days later, Rodrigues visited the address of the woman Garnica was allegedly seeing and filmed him entering the building. When she showed him the footage, he denied being with the woman.
He then accused his wife of being crazy and threatened to destroy their apartment. The cousin added that a week after the confrontation, Rodrigues fell ill. Her mother-in-law gave her soup, and her husband provided medication.
According to Civil Police, the woman allegedly involved with the doctor has not been arrested but is still under investigation. Authorities have seized the cell phones of the woman, Garnica, and his mother for forensic analysis.
The doctor’s defense team stated they have not yet received access to the autopsy report or arrest warrant but continue to maintain his innocence. Meanwhile, Arrabaça’s legal representatives declined to comment, citing limited access to the case files.
Recalling their last in-person conversation in February, Ramos said her late friend knew the marriage was over but felt unable to leave. During their final chat, Rodrigues told her, “I can’t get out.” In a message exchange, Rodrigues explained it was because of fear, though she did not elaborate further.
Someone on Facebook shared photos of Garnica with his mother and wife, along with footage showing the police confiscating his phone and arresting him at his office. A clip of him and his 67-year-old mother getting into the back of a police car was also shared.
The post revealed that Garnica spent his first night in jail, while Arrabaça reportedly became unwell and had to be transported to a hospital by SAMU. Both remain in temporary detention but have denied any involvement in Rodrigues’s death.
Civil Police continue to investigate the circumstances, focusing on the motive and origin of the toxin. Authorities have since broadened the inquiry after discovering that Garnica’s sister had died under similar circumstances, raising questions about whether she was also poisoned.
According to Rodrigues’ Facebook account, she studied at the University of Ribeirão Preto (UNAERP) and worked at Acahdre, a gym and fitness center.
Her husband’s profile states he is from Pontal and studied medicine at the same university. He also studied Sports Medicine or Orthopedics at Mansur Surgical Clinic and completed postgraduate studies at BWS College.
Following her death, Acahdre released a public statement expressing condolences. Sharing a tribute poster, Acahdre said, “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Larissa Rodrigues Garnica, who was a part of our team for over 10 years. More than just a dedicated professional, Larissa was an incredible person, admired by everyone for her talent, kindness, and collaborative spirit.”
The statement concluded, “Her legacy will live on in our company and in our hearts. In this difficult moment, we extend our solidarity to her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Rest in peace, Larissa. You will be greatly missed.”
