Woman Stabbed During Argument

Modesto, CA – Modesto Police Homicide detectives are investigating the stabbing death of a 34-year-old Modesto woman that occurred in a house on Hillside Drive early this morning.  

Maria Rodriquez, 29-years-old, called 9-1-1 from a neighbor’s cell phone this morning about 6:00 am reporting that a woman had been stabbed at her house in the 1700 block of Hillside Drive.  Officers arrived and found the victim, Anita Garza, lying in the doorway of the house with at least one stab wound.  She was quickly transported by ambulance to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto where she died.  

Investigators believe Garza, who is the god-mother of Rodriquez’s two children, came to Rodriquez’s house this morning and an argument began.  Rodriquez was home with her two sons, ages 12 and 9, as well as her step-mother.  Detectives believe Rodriquez became angry, grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed Garza during the argument.  

Rodriquez was at the scene when officers arrived.  She was arrested and will be booked at the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on one count of murder.  Officers were unable to locate relatives to take custody of Rodriquez’s two children.  CPS will take custody of the children until a family member is located.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636.  For information about this news release contact Sergeant Craig Gundlach at (209) 652-3184.