Crime & Safety

Suspect in Ranch Slaying Found, Arrested at Sharp Grossmont Hospital

Man was admitted Friday for undisclosed reasons. Detectives arrested Miguel Medina Sanchez at the La Mesa hospital.

A man admitted to Sharp Grossmont Hospital on Friday is under arrest—suspected of killing a female acquaintance at his Jamul workplace, authorities said.

Detectives arrested Miguel Medina Sanchez at the La Mesa hospital, where he had been admitted for undisclosed reasons.   

Homicide investigators and members of a fugitive task force had been looking for Sanchez, 32, since Saturday, when the body of 44-year-old Maria “Irma” Palos De Rubio was discovered in his living quarters at a ranch in the 15600 block of Lyons Valley Road, said sheriff's Sgt. Dave Martinez. 

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The interior of the residence showed signs of a violent struggle, said homicide Lt. Dennis Brugos.   

The cause of the woman’s death has not been released, and officials have not disclosed a motive for the slaying.

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Martinez said he could not disclose the reason why Sanchez, who sometimes goes by the name Macario Lopez Merino, was admitted to Sharp Grossmont Hospital on Friday, or when he might be released.

“Due to privacy laws, the circumstances of (his) hospitalization cannot be discussed,” Martinez said.

 City News Service contributed to this report.


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