By Gina Yarbrough
Oceanside, CA–Oceanside police are investigating a suspected homicide after officers discovered an unresponsive woman at an Oceanside residence Monday morning.
Officers responded to the 2300 block of Falling Leaf Road at 9 a.m. following a report of a disturbance at a residence. Upon arrival, they located an unresponsive adult female. Based on evidence at the scene, investigators believe the woman was the victim of a homicide.
On April 8, detectives from the department’s Crimes of Violence Unit were notified by the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office that the victim had been positively identified as 46-year-old Oceanside resident Bethany Whitwer.
Through their investigation, detectives established probable cause to arrest 69-year-old Oceanside resident Michael Topping. He was taken into custody at the conclusion of a standoff earlier this week and is currently being held by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
Detectives are working with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office as the case moves toward prosecution.
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact Oceanside Police Detective Malone at (760) 435-4537 or the Anonymous Tip Line at (760) 435-4730.
