San Diego police are searching for a woman considered a person of interest in the death of her girlfriend, who was found dead inside a San Carlos apartment Thursday evening.
Homicide investigators are trying to track down Tiffany Nowden -- also known as Tiffany Vale -- for questioning in connection with the killing of Russina Vale, 38, authorities confirmed Friday night.
Neighbors said Nowden called Vale her wife. Nowden's Facebook even notes she got married in December.
Vale’s body was discovered at the Villa De Flores Apartments in the 7700 block of Mission Gorge Road around 6 p.m. Thursday after officers were asked to conduct a welfare check on Vale.
Inside the unit, they discovered Vale with blunt force trauma to her upper body, according to investigators. The San Diego County Medical Examiner has not released the results of an autosy to determine the official cause of death.
Vale's body was removed from the apartment early Friday.
Police said they’re looking to question Nowden about the death of Vale, but her whereabouts are unknown at this time.
Police have released a photo of Nowden and are asking anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact the SDPD at (619) 531-2000 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
Some neighbors told NBC 7 that two women lived together in the apartment, but had been fighting and had recently broken up.
However, other neighbors said the women were quiet and mostly kept to themselves.
“They never really say much,” said resident Shayna North. “Our dogs kind of mingle and then they go their separate ways, so they never introduce themselves. I don’t know either of their names.”
Most Villa De Flores residents, including Matt Taylor, said they were completely shocked to hear of the death in the apartment complex.
“[I’m] very shocked. I saw them rolling her body out and I was just really sad [and] taken aback by it. It made it really real,” said Taylor.
Neighbors said their hearts go out to Vale's family.
"I'm praying for her family because it's really sad," neighbor Kate Rosa said. "It's scary, it's frightening. (I will be) Keeping the doors and windows locked, being extra cautious."
Neighbors told NBC 7 that Vale was a San Diego transplant from out-of-state who enjoyed walking her dogs and reading by the pool.
