Identities Released in Goleta Murder-Suicide Investigation

Update by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office
4:00 p.m., September 13, 2017

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the names of the two female decedents from a murder-suicide that occurred yesterday, September 12, 2017, in the 7000 block of Aldus Drive in the City of Goleta. The homicide victim is 57-year-old Christina Marie Martin from Tampa Bay, Florida. The homicide suspect, who then took her own life, is 42-year-old Beth Michelle Curnow of Goleta. The two were long-time acquaintances with ties to Florida. The victim often frequented the residence.

Sheriff’s detectives are investigating the circumstances and motive that led to the murder-suicide. When deputies responded at 7:10 a.m. yesterday, to a call of an injured subject in the home who was in need of emergency medical aid, they found Christina Martin deceased in the residence. A short time later, deputies discovered that Beth Curnow had taken her own life and was located in the garage.
The Sheriff’s Office is not releasing further details regarding the homicide manner of death until an autopsy scheduled for tomorrow is complete.

If you have any information regarding this case that might assist investigators, you are asked to contact the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division at 805-681-4150. To leave an anonymous tip, please call 805-681-4171 or click here.

Update by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office
12:08 p.m., September 12, 2017

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an apparent murder-suicide that occurred this morning, September 12, 2017, at an apartment in the 7000 block of Aldus Drive in the City of Goleta. At approximately 7:10 a.m., a family member at the Hollister Village Apartment Community residence called 911 to report an emergency. When Sheriff’s deputies arrived, they located a deceased female inside the residence. Upon further investigation, they then discovered another deceased female inside the garage.

The investigation is in its early stage, but at this point, the deaths appear to be the result of a murder-suicide. The Sheriff’s Office believes this was an isolated incident and that there are no outstanding suspects.

Sheriff’s detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. The Sheriff’s Forensics Unit is processing the crime scene and collecting evidence. The Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office is in the process of positively identifying the decedents and notifying next of kin. Coroner’s detectives are conducting a death investigation to determine an official cause and manner of death for both decedents.

Due to the active investigation, no additional details will be released at this time.

Reported by Roger the Scanner Guy
8:15 a.m., September 12, 2017

Be on the lookout for a murder suspect, last seen in the 7000 Block of Aldus in Goleta. A female driving a white or grey Range Rover or Ford Ranger with Florida plates.