Son Suspected in Tierrasanta Woman's Death: Police

Joan Robinson, 78, was found dead in her home Tuesday night

San Diego police have named a Tierrasanta woman’s son as a potential suspect in her murder.

According to investigators, Dale Edward Robinson, 55, has been identified as a potential suspect in the death of Joan Claire Robinson, 78.

Family members had gone to check on Robinson Tuesday after they had not heard from her in a while.

Officers found her dead inside her home on Tinasa Way Tuesday around 10:30 p.m. Police immediately deemed her death suspicious, as she was found on the kitchen floor with what appeared to be trauma to her body.

On Wednesday afternoon, SDPD officials said homicide investigators had discovered evidence that indicates Robinson’s death was a murder.

Officials say Dale – who lives at the Tierrasanta home with Robinson – is a potential suspect.

Investigators believe Robinson was killed on Sunday.

Police say Dale was involved in a traffic accident on Interstate 15 on Sunday, shortly after the murder occurred. He is currently hospitalized with serious injuries, and detectives are in the process of arranging an interview with him.

An autopsy has been scheduled to determine Robinson’s cause of death.
 

Neighbor Donna Warlick told NBC 7 she’s known Robinson for years.

Warlick described Robinson as a kind, loving, giving artist who has lived in the neighborhood for more than 30 years.

“I don’t know anyone else who has given as much of her life up for their families,” she said. “Residents in the community celebrate events together and even travel together.”

According to Warlick, Robinson used plaster to create murals of 3-D flowers and has had her work shown in Little Italy in the past.

Warlick said she and others had called police in the past after Dale became violent.

The murder is under investigation. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the SDPD Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

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