Authorities discovered a California mother, Jamison Webster, deceased in the trunk of her car after a troubling sequence of events involving her son, Richard Leyva.
Webster, 51, had visited Leyva at a Motel 6 in El Cajon, California. When she did not return, her other son, Xavier, went to the motel to check on her on Tuesday, February 25. Unfortunately, he found her body inside her black Hyundai Sonata, according to reports from local authorities.
Following this grim discovery, an argument erupted between the two brothers. Leyva, 24, then allegedly got into the car and drove away, colliding with Xavier in the process. Fortunately, Xavier was not hurt and quickly notified the police.
When officers arrived, they found Leyva driving away and attempted to pull him over. However, he fled from the scene, leading them on a pursuit that resulted in him crashing into two other vehicles, none of which sustained injuries.
After the chase, police confirmed Xavier’s earlier report and found Webster’s body in the trunk of the Hyundai. Leyva was taken into custody after officers used a Taser to subdue him.
Leyva now faces multiple charges, including homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, and evading law enforcement, along with a charge of first-degree murder. He is being held at the George Bailey Detention Facility, a maximum-security facility in San Diego.
The death of Jamison Webster is under investigation. Authorities have stated that security footage from the motel captured moments before and after her death. This footage reportedly shows Webster entering Leyva’s room, and later, Leyva dragging her body away and placing it in the trunk of the car.
As of now, investigators are still determining the cause of Webster’s death, but indications of strangulation have been suggested. A GoFundMe page set up for her funeral expenses mentions that Leyva struggled with mental health issues, and reports indicate that he left a mental health facility shortly before the incident at the motel.
Family and friends remember the victim as a loving mother who cherished her children and brought joy and warmth to those around her. The memories of her kindness and strength will be remembered by many.
