Son arrested after his mom's body is found in the trunk of her car
03/03/2025 3:20 pm PST
EL CAJON, Calif. (TCN) -- A 24-year-old man was taken into custody following a police pursuit when officers discovered his mother's body in the trunk of her car.
According to the El Cajon Police Department, on Feb. 25, Jamison Webster's son went to a local Motel 6 to check on her because she did not come home after visiting her other son, Richard Leyva, who had been staying at the motel. The son reportedly found his mother's body in the trunk of her Hyundai Sonata, so he called police.
The caller and Leyva reportedly got into a physical altercation at the motel. Leyva fled the scene in the Hyundai and hit his brother while leaving. Police said the brother was not injured. El Cajon Police officers arrived to the scene and attempted a traffic stop on the Sonata, but Leyva kept driving. Police engaged in a pursuit until Leyva crashed into two vehicles. Officers reportedly needed to use a Taser in order to subdue him.
Police opened the trunk and discovered Webster's body inside. Leyva was arrested on charges of homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, and evading law enforcement.
KSWB-TV reports Yasmin Bigdeli with the San Diego County District Attorney's Office said in court that surveillance video allegedly showed Leyva "dragging [Webster] by the ankles" and putting her in the trunk.
Leyva was reportedly diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had other mental illnesses. He is in custody at the San Diego County Jail without bail.
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