California man accused of killing wife, hiding remains in remote area of the mountains
01/17/2024 3:44 pm PST
LOS GATOS, Calif. (TCD) -- A 56-year-old man is in custody after allegedly killing his 40-year-old wife and dumping her remains in a remote area in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
According to a news release from the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department, on Jan. 8, officers received information that YingYing "Dawn" Yu’s employer hadn’t heard from her since before New Year’s Day, and they couldn’t reach her. Her husband, John Yeager, reportedly provided inconsistent statements regarding his wife’s whereabouts.
Police allege Yu and Yeager were involved in a domestic incident on the night of Dec. 31, which caused her death.
On Jan. 10, several law enforcement agencies started working together to investigate Yu’s disappearance and to "ensure the safety of the children within the home." Yeager was arrested the next day in connection with the domestic incident.
Upon further investigation, police said "additional evidence developed concerning foul play related to Yu’s welfare."
According to the statement, investigators learned Yeager traveled to the Santa Cruz Mountains along Summit Road in early January. Officials followed the tracks, and they discovered possible human remains when searching the area. Authorities believe the remains are Yu’s, but they are still pending positive identification from the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner.
The East Bay Times reports Yeager is being charged with first-degree murder and false imprisonment. Court documents cited by the paper allege Yeager strangled Yu to death with a rope.
Yeager remains held in the Santa Clara County Department of Corrections with additional charges related to his wife’s alleged death. The investigation is ongoing.
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