Woman arrested after violent Anza attack leaves one dead, another injured

March 10, 2020 Trevor Montgomery

ANZA — One woman is dead and another remains hospitalized with serious injuries after a violent attack in the unincorporated community of Anza yesterday afternoon, March 9. Monday’s deadly incident happened on the 60000 block of Coyote Canyon Rd., about four miles south of SR-371 and east of Terwilliger Rd.

Although authorities have not stated what may have led to the deadly incident, officials have said there are no outstanding suspects and no immediate threat to public safety.

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Deputies from the Hemet Sheriff’s Station responded to the rural community east of Temecula shortly after 1 p.m., after receiving reports of a battery in progress, Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Rick Espinoza reported after the deadly encounter.

When deputies arrived at the scene they found two women suffering from “numerous injuries,” according to Espinoza.

Deputies and other emergency personnel dispatched to reports of a battery in progress in Anza discovered two women with serious injuries. One of the victims died at the scene and the other was rushed to an area hospital where she underwent surgery for her injuries. Terry Ostahowski photo

Although deputies and paramedics began life saving measures, one of the two victims succumbed to her injuries and passed away at the scene.

The second victim was rushed to an area hospital via life-flight helicopter where she underwent emergency surgery for her unspecified injuries.

Officials have not yet publicly identified either of the victims, pending further investigation and notification of the deceased woman’s family.

A third woman, who has since been identified as Karina Sara Moreno Valdivia, 32, of Anza, was also found at the scene and was detained as deputies began their investigation.

Officials investigating yesterday’s violent attack arrested Karina Sara Moreno Valdivia for first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder. RSO booking photo

Based on the circumstances, investigators from the Hemet Station and Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.

Based on their investigation, authorities arrested Valdivia, according to Espinoza; who did not specify the nature of the attack or what may have led to the fatal incident. She was later booked into Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on suspicion of first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder. She remains in custody on $1 million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned at Murrieta’s Southwest Justice Center March 12.

The sheriff’s investigation is active and ongoing, according to Espinoza.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Investigator Alfaro of the Central Homicide Unit at (760) 393-3528 or (951) 955-2777. Callers can refer to incident file number D200690027 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s Homicide Tipline online form.

This is a developing story that will be updated as new information becomes available.

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 48, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, (the now defunct) Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 29 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 16 grandchildren.