Background: News footage of the scene in National City, Calif. where Wanda Taylor was killed in a home invasion on Aug. 20 (KNSD). Inset: Ernest Taylor speaks to a reporter about finding his wife and the man who allegedly attacked her (KNSD).
A California man spoke out after finding his wife in a pool of blood in the home they shared for nearly three decades – and coming face-to-face with the suspect in her killing.
National City police stated in a press release shared by local news outlet 619 News Media that 71-year-old Wanda Taylor was found dead in her home, allegedly stabbed to death by 30-year-old Noel Trevino.
Wanda Taylor’s husband, Ernest Taylor, reportedly walked in on the alleged crime in progress and came face-to-face with a stranger in his house – allegedly Trevino – who then fled before he was apprehended by police.
Wanda Taylor was pronounced dead at the scene.
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National City Police Homicide Sgt. Mark Segal confirmed to 619 News Media that Ernest Taylor made the “horrific discovery” of his wife of 35 years “lying in a pool of blood” in the home they shared. Ernest Taylor spoke to San Diego-based NBC affiliate KNSD about what he saw, including his reaction to seeing the alleged killer in his home, standing over his wife.
Ernest Taylor told KNSD he had returned home from a painting project around 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday and saw Trevino, a stranger to him.
“He was right there,” Ernest Taylor said. “He was prancing up, he was, like, mumbling, like, crazy words. You know, that’s why I just left. And I saw my wife lying down underneath a blanket.”
He then called 911, and Trevino reportedly jumped out of a second-story window and fled the scene on foot. Police arrived at the scene at 2:15 p.m. and quickly located and apprehended Trevino using K-9 units and less-lethal bean bags. Trevino was taken away from the scene in an ambulance before he was booked into the county jail.
Trevino’s alleged attack on Wanda Taylor was captured by security cameras at her home, and it began outside the home in the driveway, according to the TV station. Trevino was allegedly seen on the cameras as early as 10:30 a.m. on the morning of the slaying. Around that time, Wanda Taylor reportedly left to take her dog to a vet appointment.
Ernest Taylor told KNSD he believed Trevino, who has no known connection to the Taylors, was posing as a solicitor.
“He had a clipboard and everything,” he said.
Trevino was scheduled to be arraigned in court on Friday but did not appear due to medical reasons, local ABC affiliate KGTV reported. The defendant’s arraignment was rescheduled for Aug. 25. Trevino is currently being held without bond on charges of murder, burglary, and resisting an officer.
On Friday, Ernest Taylor came to the San Diego Superior Court with a group of close friends he shared with his late wife.
“I was hesitant of coming today, because of who I thought I might see,” he told KGTV, referring to Trevino. “But when I saw my friends, I was like, ‘Okay, I’m glad I’m here,’ because I would have been like a lone soldier on an island without any support.”
