Police say a young man who may have abandoned a black Volvo SUV at the end of Brookdale Boulevard is their prime suspect in the "brutal assault" and arson fire that claimed the life of Barbara Latiolais last Thursday.
The 58-year-old Castro Valley woman was found horribly burned in the home on the 2400 block of San Carlos Avenue that she shared with her long time partner Michael J. Rice.
Rice was out of town at the time and was devastated upon hearing the news, according to Alameda County Sheriff's Department spokesman Sgt. J.D. Nelson.
Now authorities are looking for 17 to 19 year old man about 5 feet 5 inches tall who was seen by witnesses leaving the home where the crimes occurred.
Detectives think the suspect stole a black Volvo SUV registered to Latiolais and Rice, then abandoned the vehicle a few hours later at the dead end of Brookdale Blvd. some time early Thursday morning.
They think the suspect has some connection to Castro Valley and that some one may have seen him, and are asking anyone with information to call 510-667-3636.
This story will be updated.
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