UPDATE: SRPD Homicide Investigation 

On Thursday, November 2, 2023, at approximately 3:40 pm, Santa Rosa Police officers responded to the 2500-block of Pomo Trail, Santa Rosa, regarding a possible homicide. When officers arrived on scene, they located a deceased female inside of the residence. The adult female victim had been decapitated. The victim’s head was not located at the residence. 

The initial investigation conducted by detectives from SRPD Violent Crimes Investigations (VCI) team revealed Luis Gustavo Aroyo-Lopez, a 23-year-old resident of Santa Rosa and blood relative of the victim, killed the victim in a targeted attack before leaving the scene with the female victim’s head. Multiple weapons were recovered from the residence; however, the items will need to undergo further examination before we can definitively identify the murder weapon(s).   

As part of their investigation, detectives worked in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Service to disseminate information about Aroyo-Lopez to other law enforcement agencies in California. 

On Saturday, November 4, 2023, an alert San Francisco Police Department patrol officer conducting foot patrol at the Transbay Transit Center, 425 Mission Street, San Francisco,  spotted Aroyo-Lopez at the complex. The officer recognized Aroyo-Lopez from the wanted person bulletins and immediately detained Aroyo-Lopez without incident. Aroyo-Lopez was detained in San Francisco until SRPD VCI detectives were able to respond and take custody of him prior to transporting him to the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility. 

Aroyo-Lopez was booked into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility for the following charges:

187 PC - Murder

3455 PC - Violation of PRCS

Aroyo-Lopez was not granted bail and remains in-custody. 

SRPD VCI detectives continued their investigation, to include searching for the victim’s decapitated head. At approximately 7:30 pm, November 4th, the head was located on the south bank of the Santa Rosa Creek, adjacent to the Prince Memorial Greenway, just east of A Street, in Santa Rosa. The head was brought to the Sonoma County Coroner’s Office for further examination.

The Sonoma County Coroner’s Office has identified the homicide victim as 64-year-old Santa Rosa resident, Elvia Lopez-Arroyo. She was the suspect’s grandmother. 

It should be noted the original press release indicated Aroyo-Lopez’ age as 24-years-old. Based on additional documentation provided by the family, we believe his true age to be 23-years-old, having a date of birth of March 22, 2000.

Santa Rosa Police Department case number 23-13955.

Media Contact:
Sgt. Patricia Seffens
707-543-3634
pseffens@srcity.org

***ORIGINAL RELEASE***

WANTED: Assistance Needed in Locating a Homicide Suspect

On Thursday, November 2, 2023, at approximately 3:40 pm, Santa Rosa Police officers responded to the 2500-block of Pomo Trail, Santa Rosa, regarding a possible homicide. When officers arrived on scene, they located a deceased female inside of the residence. The adult female victim had been decapitated. The victim’s head was not located at the residence. 

Detectives from SRPD Violent Crimes Investigations team assumed the investigation and began interviewing anyone who potentially had information about the incident. The initial investigation revealed Luis Gustavo Aroyo-Lopez, a 24-year-old resident of Santa Rosa and relative of the victim, killed the victim before leaving the scene. It is believed Aroyo-Lopez took the victim’s head with him when he left the residence and he may still be in possession of it.

Aroyo-Lopez is described as a Hispanic adult male, approximately 5-foot 6-inches tall, weighing approximately 150-pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a long-sleeve black hooded sweatshirt or jacket, black pants, and white shoes. Aroyo-Lopez has a large tattoo of “420” and a marijuana leaf on the left side of his head. Aroyo-Lopez is believed to have left the residence walking south on Iroquois Street. 

It is unknown currently where Aroyo-Lopez intends on going or what his current means of travel are. He has additional relatives in the San Joaquin Valley area, but it is unknown if that is his destination. 

Aroyo-Lopez was recently released from state prison and placed on Postrelease Community Supervision (PRCS). He had been incarcerated for assault with a deadly weapon and weapons possession charges, unrelated to the victim in this incident. Aroyo-Lopez is currently wanted by detectives and there is an active homicide warrant for his arrest. If you see Aroyo-Lopez, please call 911. Aroyo-Lopez should be considered armed and dangerous, so please do not contact him.

SRPD detectives are continuing to investigate this homicide and would like to speak with anyone who has information potentially related to this incident. Anyone with information about this investigation is encouraged to contact the SRPD VCI team at 707-543-3590 or through our online Tip Line: www.srcity.org/CrimeTips. A reward of up to $2,500 is being offered by the Sonoma County Alliance Community Engagement and Safety Rewards Fund. The reward is for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved in this stabbing.

When Aroyo-Lopez is in custody, more information related to the circumstances of the homicide may be released. 

Santa Rosa Police Department case number 23-13955.

Media contact:

Sgt. Patricia Seffens
Public Information Officer
707-543-3634
pseffens@srcity.org