By Gina Yarbrough
Escondido, CA–A woman was critically injured Thursday evening after an apparent domestic violence-related stabbing in Escondido, authorities said.
The suspected attacker was later found dead in what authorities believe was a suicide.
Escondido police officers were dispatched at approximately 7:47 p.m. to investigate a stabbing victim who arrived at Palomar Medical Center on Citracado Parkway.
Investigators said a man and woman had been inside a vehicle near Mission Avenue and Auto Parkway when the man allegedly stabbed the woman multiple times. After the attack, the suspect fled the area on foot.
Despite her injuries, the woman was able to drive herself to the hospital, where she remained in critical but stable condition Thursday night.
Police launched an extensive search for the suspect, who was believed to be armed with a knife. Detectives with the Escondido Police Department’s Crimes of Violence Unit assisted in the investigation.
At about 10:04 p.m., officers and Escondido Fire Department paramedics responded to reports of a man found hanging near a flood control channel footpath by Fig Street.
Paramedics pronounced the man dead at the scene. Officers later identified him as the suspect sought in connection with the earlier stabbing, according to police.
Authorities withheld the man’s identity pending notification of family members.
Detectives are continuing to investigate and are asking anyone with information or who may have witnessed the incident to contact the Escondido Police Department at (760) 839-4722 or Detective Greg Clark at (760) 839-4450.
