Maine woman beaten to death with hammer by son while visiting him in California, DA says
LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. —
California prosecutors say a Maine woman was killed by her son, who has been accused of bludgeoning her to death with a hammer inside his Laguna Beach home.
Safford James Wolfson, 36, has been charged with one felony count of murder and one felony enhancement of personally using a deadly weapon in connection with the death of his mother, Angela Caprioli.
Caprioli, 61, was visiting from Maine at the time of her death, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said officers with the Laguna Beach Police Department were called to Wolfson’s home in the 1300 block of Dunning Drive at about 11 a.m. on July 20 after Wolfson’s grandmother found broken furniture and blood everywhere, and also found Wolfson covered in blood on the floor.
Caprioli was found in a bedroom with severe blunt force injuries to her head and face. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
“It is heartbreaking to think that someone could so violently end the life of the very person who gave them life,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a statement. “We will continue to pursue justice for Ms. Caprioli and everyone who loved her.”
Prosecutors said Wolfson was taken to a hospital to be treated for self-inflicted injuries to his neck. He is being held on $1 million bail.
Wolfson is scheduled to be arraigned on Oct. 1 at the Harbor Justice Center in Department H2. According to prosecutors, Wolfson faces a maximum prison sentence of 26 years to life if he is convicted on all charges.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office said Senior Deputy District Attorney Jeff Moore of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting the case.