Authorities have arrested a man in connection with the death of the woman whose body was discovered near Aromas last week and released the identity of the victim, according to a statement from the Monterey Police Department.
Hikers found the body of 29-year-old Norife Herrera Jones, a Filipino woman from San Jose, on Sept. 7. Her death is under investigation as a homicide, and authorities in the past day arrested her ex-husband, Lawrence Jones, after locating him in Southern California.
The Monterey Police Department released a statement noting that the agency is conducting a joint investigation with the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office. The local sheriff’s office requested help from Monterey police after learning the victim recently lived with her ex-husband, a 69-year-old from Monterey.
After conducting a search of Lawrence Jones’ home, evidence found at the scene “led to the Monterey Police Department assuming jurisdiction of the homicide investigation,” according to the statement.
According to the statement, detectives worked “through the night” and located Lawrence Jones in Southern California. His transport to Monterey is pending, according to police.
The FBI is assisting with the forensic investigation, while Monterey police stressed it has been a multi-jurisdictional effort from the start also involving the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and San Jose Police Department.
