Husband Stabbed, Wife's Body Found In Fire: IE Sheriff's Investigation

APPLE VALLEY, CA — Identification was pending Monday for a woman who allegedly violently fought with her husband before setting their Apple Valley home ablaze and dying inside, possibly from a gunshot wound.

The incident was reported shortly before 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 22, in the 15900 block of Washoan Road. Deputies were called to the residence for an "unknown problem" and found the husband with severe stab wounds at a neighboring property, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

The 59-year-old man, whose name was not released, told law enforcement that he was stabbed at home.

As deputies moved onto the couple's property, they saw smoke coming from the residence. They could not immediately enter the home because it was barricaded, according to the sheriff's department.

During the melee, a separate family member inside the house safely exited before "shots were heard" from inside, the sheriff's department reported.

Within minutes, the home was fully engulfed in flames, forcing evacuations of nearby residences.

The Apple Valley Fire District responded and extinguished the blaze. The wife was found dead inside her home. Her identity is being confirmed by the coroner's office, and an autopsy is being conducted to determine the cause and manner of her death.

According to the initial sheriff's department investigation, the husband and wife "were involved in a physical altercation when the stabbing occurred."

Investigators also determined that the wife set the house on fire "after the fight," the department reported.

The husband was sent to a local hospital for treatment. An update on his condition was unavailable.

No arrests were announced.

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the sheriff's Specialized Investigations Division at 909-890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should call or text REPORT to We-Tip at 844-909-3006. Online reporting is also available at mobile.catapultems.com/sbcsd/Sites.