A 59-year-old man survived severe injuries after fleeing to a neighboring property.
APPLE VALLEY, Calif. — Sheriff’s investigators are reviewing a violent domestic dispute that ended Friday with a man stabbed, a home burned and a woman found dead inside the residence in Apple Valley.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said deputies first responded to Washoan Road shortly before 9 a.m. after a report of an unknown problem. The call quickly became an attempted murder and in-custody death investigation after deputies found a severely injured man and smoke coming from the home.
The incident happened in the 15900 block of Washoan Road, near Dale Evans Parkway and Otoe Road. Deputies found the 59-year-old victim at a neighboring property. Officials said he had escaped after being stabbed at the home he shared with his wife.
Deputies then approached the residence and saw smoke inside. The Sheriff’s Department said they tried to enter the house to rescue anyone who might still be there, but the home was barricaded. A family member inside escaped safely before authorities reported hearing shots.
Specialized Enforcement Division deputies were called to the scene and attempted to reach the woman believed to be inside. Officials said the effort failed. The fire then spread quickly, forcing evacuations at nearby homes as Apple Valley Fire District crews moved in to control the flames.
After firefighters put out the blaze, deputies entered the home and found a dead woman. Authorities identified her only as an adult female pending confirmation by the coroner. No cause of death had been released by Sunday, and officials said an autopsy would determine how she died.
Sheriff’s investigators said the stabbing followed a physical altercation between the victim and the suspect. They also said the woman set the house on fire after the fight. The department has not released details about the weapon, the number of wounds or the man’s current medical condition.
The case now rests with the Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division. Detectives are expected to review witness statements, fire evidence, medical records and the coroner’s findings before closing the case. No court hearing had been announced because the suspected attacker was found dead.
The burned home remained the center of the investigation through the weekend. Officials said the woman’s identity and autopsy findings were still pending as of Sunday, April 26.
Author note: Last updated April 26, 2026.