Mendocino County Sheriff Investigating Murder of 77-Year-Old Woman; Suspect Arrested

Law enforcement responding to calls from neighbors in a remote area north of Willits Saturday discovered a homicide victim.

One person has been arrested in connection with the killing, authorities said in a news release Sunday.

Residents of Blue Lake Road began calling the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office shortly after 11 a.m. to report sounds of yelling and fighting taking place at a home in the 52000 block.

When officers arrived at the home, they found a woman injured following what appeared to be a violent assault.

Deputies also found blood in and around the front of the home and windows in the home were broken. There were no other people or victims in the home, officials said.

Officers administered CPR to the woman and called for emergency medical assistance, but the 77-year-old died at the scene, authorities said.

While deputies were on scene, a car approached the home.

While searching the vehicle, officers found evidence that a passenger in the car, Michael Coleman, was involved in the violent attack, according to the sheriff's office.

He was arrested on suspicion of homicide and is being held without bail in the Mendocino County Jail.

Several agencies are actively investigating this crime.

Investigators from the Mendocino County Prosecutor's Office, Ukiah Police Department, Willits Police Department, California Highway Patrol, CalFire Fire Prevention personnel, Department of Defense Crime Lab California Justice in Santa Rosa and criminal lawyers from the Department of Justice are assisting in the investigation.

Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to call the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Communications Center at 707-463-4086.

Information can also be provided anonymously by calling the non-emergency hotline at 707-234-2100.

You can contact Breaking News Intern Amy Moore at 707-526-8545 or [email protected].