Digital News Report – The decomposing body of an 30-year-old woman who was recently found at an apartment by the Santa Cruz Police department is now being investigated as a homicide. The Medical Examiner completed the autopsy of the corpse and said that the death was caused from significant physical trauma.
In the early evening hours of April 26, 2011, the Santa Cruz Police Department had found a decomposing body of 30 year-old Heather Stearns at an apartment located at the 1100 block of E. Cliff Drive. The police said that Stearns was dead for several days before they had discovered the body. The police were informed of a strong smell coming from the apartment which led to this discovery.
The police have arrested suspect John Clauer because he had been violating his parole. Police have not yet charged Clauer of the homicide, as it is still under investigation. The police reported that Clauer was living in the apartment for over a week with the dead body.
By Victoria Brown