An 11-year-old boy found his mother dead in their Escondido home Wednesday morning, according to police.
Officials said they received a call around 11 a.m. from a child who said he could not wake his mother.
Officers visited a home in the 1500-block of East El Norte Parkway and found that resident Jacinto Montalvo, 43, was dead.
The investigation concluded that Montalvo was murdered, though officials did not immediately release further details regarding how she was killed.
Her husband, Jose "Tony" Hernandez, 46, is wanted in connection with the homicide, police said, but officials did not provide specifics as to why he’s their suspect.
Police are asking for the public's help in locating Hernandez. He’s described as 5-foot-6, weighing 150 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He is known to drive a 4-door GMC Canyon pickup truck with the California license plate 7D60443.
Anyone who spots Hernandez is encouraged to call 911.
NBC 7 spoke to neighbors in Escondido Wednesday night who said Montalvo was a very kind, sweet mother of three young children.
Neighbors told NBC 7 Montalvo and Hernandez experienced some marriage troubles a few months ago and he moved out of their home. However, neighbors said Hernandez had recently moved back in, and, as far as they knew, the couple was doing better.
On Thursday, Escondido police said they have numerous detectives from their crime and violence unit and special investigations unit working on this case.
Police say Hernandez hasn’t shown up to work since the murder of his wife, but investigators believe he hasn’t gone far. Officials say he has strong ties to the North County area and is likely still there.
Police say every second counts in a case like this, so it’s crucial that anyone with information on the case or the suspect’s whereabouts contact the Escondido Police Department.
