A woman police found dead during a standoff in Oceanside was identified along with an alleged suspect in her slaying, authorities said Friday.
Officers arrived at the residence in the 2300 block of Fallingleaf Road to investigate a report of a disturbance at about 9 a.m. Tuesday. They found the woman unresponsive, according to the Oceanside Police Department.
The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Oceanside resident Bethany Whitwer, 46.
Based on the investigation, detectives said they have established probable cause to arrest Michael Topping, 69, who was taken into custody by SWAT personnel when the standoff concluded about 2 p.m.
When officers first tried to make contact with Topping, he locked himself in the home, prompting police to call in the special tactics team, police spokesperson Gina Avalos said.
Prior to being detained, Topping “inflicted multiple life-threatening injuries to himself,” Avalos said.
He was taken to a hospital in critical condition, then later booked into sheriff’s custody.
Court records indicate Topping was arraigned Thursday on a murder charge in connection with Whitwer’s death. The criminal complaint filed in the case alleges he used a brick in Whitwer’s slaying.
The complaint also alleges the homicide was committed while Topping was out on bail in a separate case in which he faces charges that include assault with a deadly weapon.
Police also did not disclose the nature of the relationship, if any, between Whitwer and Topping, nor specify the nature of their injuries.
