A person who allegedly killed a San Marcos couple who had been discovered useless inside their burning dwelling was charged Thursday with homicide, arson and animal cruelty.
Luis Alvarado, 33, is accused in the slayings of 73-year-old Michael Austin and Kathryn Austin, 72, whose our bodies had been discovered deceased on the second story of their Lacebark Street dwelling on Saturday night time, based on the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office. The couple’s canine, Journey, was additionally killed, based on a GoFundMe web page created in help of the victims’ household.
Alvarado, the couple’s tenant, was arrested and stays in custody with out bail. Sheriff’s officers didn’t disclose what led investigators to suspect Alvarado because the alleged killer.
The two homicide counts he faces embrace particular circumstance allegations of committing a number of murders and committing the murders in the fee of arson. If convicted of all counts and allegations, he may face life in jail with out the likelihood of parole or the dying penalty, ought to prosecutors pursue capital punishment.
Alvarado was attributable to be arraigned on Thursday, however a protection lawyer representing him on the listening to declared a doubt concerning his competency to face trial. Though he’ll stay in custody, legal proceedings might be suspended till his competency might be decided.
The GoFundMe web page created by the Austins’ household says they had been “truly one of a kind — loving, compassionate, and endlessly generous” and (*7*)
The man arrested by San Diego sheriff’s deputies over the weekend for allegedly killing two folks in a San Marcos home fire has a historical past of violence involving a previous landlord and roommates, based on court paperwork, studies NBC 7’s Allison Ash.
SUSPECT’S CRIMINAL HISTORY
There had been two legal circumstances pending in opposition to Alvarado in North County on the time of the fire, based on court papers. Those circumstances had been merged and his prices had been suspended pending the result of a psychological well being diversion plan.
Alvarado was in court simply weeks in the past, on March 13, when his public defender reported Alvarado was taking his meds (olanzapine), was seeing his physician usually and was managing his psychological sickness.
According to WebMD, the antipsychotic Zyprexa, the model identify for olanzapine, is usually prescribed for schizophrenia and bipolar dysfunction.
The San Diego County Homicide Unit has arrested a person in reference to a lethal residential fire in San Marcos on Sunday. NBC 7 has extra on the arrest and legal prices.
That diversion plan was put in place in May 2025 after Alvardao was named in a pair of legal circumstances “and has been before the court for review hearings multiple times over the last year,” San Diego County District Attorney spokeswoman Tanya Sierra instructed NBC 7 on Monday.
Details of these circumstances embrace:
In October 2024 in Oceanside, Alvarado allegedly threatened his three roommates with a kitchen knife. According to court paperwork, he threatened to kill them: “Defendant put the tip of the knife inside just a few inches of [name deleted] face and began yelling about ‘gang stuff’ and that he ‘has our bodies.’ “
And then, on Jan. 15, 2025, Alvarado was arrested after allegedly assaulting a person in Carlsbad. According to court papers, that incident started when a lady who rented an condominium to Alvarado discovered he had a legal report and requested him to maneuver out. After the owner went to court for a restraining order in opposition to Alvarado, he confirmed up later the identical day and punched a person in the attention who was there to guard her. Although the sufferer didn’t press prices, Alvarado was charged with making threats, allegedly in French on the Facebook messaging app.
The threats had been translated into English by prosecutors and reportedly stated, “One day I’ll make you cause pain and your death f—ing goose. F– you f—ing. I won’t forget [your] home. F– the FBI.” Alvarado additionally allegedly despatched a picture of two bombs and one other of a handgun. He can also be accused of texting her, “You’re not even going to feel it when I dry you and peel your f—ing skin off.”
According to court paperwork, Alvarado suffers from “schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type” and is being handled by a psychotherapist.
Before the occasions of this weekend, Alvarado had been scheduled to return to court in July to check-in to see if the diversion plan was working.
“While not commenting on this case, the current mental health diversion law provides few legal grounds for DAs to oppose, and the law is not balanced with public safety,” Sierra additionally emailed NBC 7 on Tuesday. “This is why the district attorney is actively supporting legislation that is pending in Sacramento to change the law so that DAs can make effective legal objections that better protect victims and community.”
Anyone with info concerning the fire or suspect was urged to name the sheriff’s murder unit at 858-285-6330. Calls made after enterprise hours might be directed to 858-868-3200. Tipsters preferring to stay nameless can name Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
With reporting by NBC 7’s Allison Ash — Ed.
