Man arrested for fatally stabbing partner in Costa Mesa apartment

A man has been arrested for fatally stabbing his partner at an apartment in Costa Mesa over the weekend. 

It happened on Sunday at around 8 p.m., when officers received reports of a woman who needed medical aid at an apartment complex in the 500 block of Victoria Street, according to the Costa Mesa Police Department. 

They arrived to find the victim, identified as 29-year-old Denis Avila, suffering from several stab wounds. She was declared dead at the scene. 

The suspect, 28-year-old Martin Laragarcia, was seen fleeing from the area in a car prior to the time that police arrived, but hours later, while investigators were still surveying the apartment, he returned. 

"He was arrested without incident and booked," CMPD said. "Detectives have located what is believed to be the weapon used in this homicide."

A motive has not yet been released. 

Anyone who may know more is asked to contact detectives at (714) 754-5039.