San Diego, California — A man allegedly threw his girlfriend off a third-story balcony in retaliation for her throwing some of his belongings over the railing, traumatizing the residents of an apartment complex in San Diego, California.
Irene Williams, 61, broke her femur and sustained severe head injuries. She was taken by paramedics to the hospital, where she passed away. In a press release obtained by Law&Crime, the San Diego Police Department stated that her boyfriend, Albert Turner, 57, is now facing first-degree murder charges.
The incident happened at an apartment complex in the 500 block of West San Ysidro Boulevard on Monday at approximately 7:21 p.m.
A woman was thrown from the balcony by a man, according to witnesses who reported the incident to 911. Investigators later discovered that she had taken some of Turner’s belongings and thrown them over the balcony in the hallway close to the apartment after they had been fighting.
Charles Riddle, a neighbor, witnessed the event.
“What I’ve witnessed has really traumatized me,” Riddle said to the local NBC affiliate KNSD.
He lives close to Williams, Riddle told the TV station, and he heard the couple fighting as he was making his way to his car.
He said, “I heard a commotion before I reached my car, so I turned around and he grabbed her from behind and heaved her over the balcony, causing her to cartwheel and hit the ground head-first.”
Turner stayed on the scene and was arrested, police said.
In an interview with KNSD, another neighbor mentioned the disparity in size between the suspect and victim.
“I always see her around. The neighbor remarked, “She’s just a little old lady, frail.” “You know, he was a big guy. He was big and muscular.”
According to the neighbor, Turner had moved in with Williams within the past month or so.
Without bond, the suspect is still being held at the San Diego County Jail. His court date is set for this Thursday.
