Mother, 73, Allegedly Killed by Daughter ID'd

The victim was found dead inside her home in Carmel Valley on June 16

A 73-year-old San Diego woman allegedly slain by her daughter was identified by police Friday while her accused killer awaited her first appearance in court.

The San Diego Police Department said the homicide victim was Svetlana Gurinova. The victim was found dead inside her Carmel Valley home on Carmel View Road Tuesday just before 10:30 p.m.

Her daughter, Lara Epstein, 51, was arrested and charged with her murder. She was supposed to be arraigned Friday afternoon, but a judge postponed the hearing until Tuesday, so the court can secure a Russian interpreter.

According to police, officers and paramedics were called to Gurinova’s home for a welfare check after a family member reported the woman may have been in distress and in need of help.

When officers arrived at the home, there was no response at the front door. Police said they heard a woman talking and a dog barking from inside the home.

When they opened the door, officers Epstein standing in the living room. Epstein then directed officers to the lifeless body of her mother inside the house.

Homicide investigators said the victim had suffered massive blunt force trauma to her body, including some lacerations.

After questioning Epstein, police arrested her on suspicion of murder. No further details of the crime – or a motive – were released by authorities.

SDPD Lt. Paul Rorrison said Epstein was calm and rambling on when police encountered her at the residence. She made some statements that led police to take her into custody, he said.

Epstein was booked into the LCDRF Las Colinas Detention and Re-entry Facility on one count of first-degree murder.

Police officers taped off the home and obtained a search warrant. Officials said there was a lot of trace evidence to sift through, including DNA and fingerprints, so a criminal analyst was called in.

There were no witnesses in the homicide and investigators said it appeared no one heard any suspicious noise coming from the home either. Neighbors said they did not know the victim, as the residents kept mostly to themselves.

There are no outstanding suspects in the killing of Gurinova, Lt. Rorrison said.

The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information should contact the SDPD Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

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