A 61-year-old Maine woman was allegedly beaten to death with a hammer by her adult son after traveling across the country to visit him at his California home, prosecutors said.
Safford Wolfson, 36, has been charged with one felony count of murder in connection with the death of his mother, Angela Caprioli. He also faces a sentencing enhancement for allegedly using a deadly weapon during the killing.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday that Wolfson had been formally charged and was being held on $1 million bail.
Laguna Beach police were called to Wolfson’s home in the 1300 block of Dunning Drive on the morning of July 20 after his grandmother arrived and discovered broken furniture and “blood everywhere,” according to prosecutors.
Authorities said the grandmother found Wolfson lying on the floor covered in blood. He reportedly had self-inflicted injuries to his neck.
Caprioli was found inside a bedroom with severe blunt-force injuries to her head and face. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Prosecutors allege Wolfson bludgeoned his mother with a hammer, though police have not publicly revealed a possible motive.
“It is heartbreaking to think that someone could so violently end the life of the very person who gave them life,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said. “We will continue to pursue justice for Ms. Caprioli and everyone who loved her.”
Neighbors told KCBS that Wolfson had lived at the Laguna Beach residence for about six months. Caprioli had reportedly traveled from Maine to bring him a television and several other items.
One neighbor, Dustin Petit, described Wolfson as quiet and difficult to know.
“He was pretty mysterious,” Petit said. “He wasn’t talking to us. He would come outside, smoke a cigarette and play some guitar. That’s kinda the extent of the relationship we’ve had with him over the last six months or so.”
A LinkedIn profile appearing to belong to Wolfson states that he served as the business manager and administrative assistant for Kevin’s House LLC, described as a dual-diagnosis sober-living and assisted adult-care facility.
The profile said Wolfson co-founded the operation with his mother in September 2021.
Caprioli also identified herself as the owner of the business on Facebook.
“We offer medication assistance and transport for those who are struggling with social interaction and the key mental health difficulties in today’s chaotic world,” Wolfson’s LinkedIn bio stated.
The profile also claimed the facility offered several services, including access to a peer-support specialist who visited the property three times each week and focused on trauma therapy and peer support.
Wolfson is scheduled to be arraigned on Oct. 1.
He could face a maximum sentence of 26 years to life in prison if convicted on all charges
Was she a democrat????