What started as a simple traffic stop in Northern California quickly turned into something far more disturbing.
Authorities say two people have been arrested after officers made a shocking discovery during a stop for an expired registration in Clearlake on April 5.
According to the California Highway Patrol, officers attempted to pull over a Chevrolet Suburban on State Route 53 early that morning—but the driver refused to stop.
The vehicle was eventually tracked to a nearby street, where it finally came to a halt. That’s when things took a dramatic turn.
A passenger suddenly jumped out and tried to flee on foot, but officers were able to catch him. He was later identified as 37-year-old Alex Kenneth Schussolin.
The driver, identified as 32-year-old Jasslynn Pearl Critchett, remained at the scene.
As officers approached the vehicle, they noticed something alarming.
There was blood inside the car.
Investigators followed the trail to the back seat—where they found an unresponsive man. He was later pronounced dead, immediately turning the stop into a homicide investigation.
But it didn’t stop there.
As officers dug deeper, they uncovered evidence pointing to a possible second victim. That led them to search a nearby area along State Route 175.
What they found was chilling.
A woman’s body was discovered down an embankment, adding another layer to the unfolding case.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims or confirmed how they died, but reports suggest they may be from Sonoma County.
Police also recovered a firearm near the area where the passenger had fled, though it’s not yet clear if it’s connected to the killings.
Both suspects have now been booked into jail on multiple charges, including murder, carjacking, and weapons offenses.
Officials say the case is a stark reminder of how quickly routine calls can escalate into major investigations.
“What started as a routine traffic stop rapidly turned into a complex investigation,” a CHP official said.