Calif. man behind bars after allegedly beating his mother to death with a hammer
07/29/2026 2:39 pm PDT
LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. (TCN) -- A 36-year-old man has been charged with felony murder in connection with a fatal hammer attack on his mother.
According to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, a woman called the police on July 20 when she found broken furniture and blood in a home. She said she saw her grandson, Safford James Wolfson, on the floor covered in blood with an alleged self-inflicted wound on his neck. Responding officers from the Laguna Beach Police Department found Wolfson’s mother, 61-year-old Angela Caprioli, in a bedroom, suffering from severe blunt force injuries.
Caprioli was pronounced dead at the scene and Wolfson was taken to a hospital to be treated for his injuries. KTLA reports Wolfson was initially identified as a person of interest and was arrested on suspicion of murder on July 23.
On July 27, the DA’s office charged Wolfson with one felony count of murder with one felony enhancement of using a deadly weapon. He faces 26 years to life in prison if convicted.
According to Wolfson’s LinkedIn profile, he and Caprioli started a sober living and assisted adult care facility together in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, KTLA reports. Wolfson reportedly worked there as a business manager and administrative assistant. Authorities have not released a motive in the alleged attack.
The New York Post reports Caprioli lived in Maine and was in the area visiting her son. According to a neighbor, Wolfson and Caprioli were arguing outside Wolfson’s home shortly before the alleged hammer attack on Caprioli. The neighbor said, “I saw her outside talking with him and it seemed like a pretty hostile conversation. … She turned around and went inside and slammed the door, like she was fed up with whatever was going on. I was like, ‘What the hell is going on here?’”
A 2024 status update from Wolfson’s public Facebook page reads, “Not even my mom wants to hang out with me man… talk about lame-o!”
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said, “It is heartbreaking think that someone could so violently end the life of the very person who gave them life. … We will continue to pursue justice for Ms. Caprioli and everyone who loved her.”
Wolfson remains behind bars on $1 million bail, per the DA. According to KTTV, his arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 1.
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