Botched Murder/Suicide Leaves Girl Dead, Man Wounded

"LONG BEACH, CA — Long Beach police are investigating a note that appeared to be written in blood on a wall next to where a young girl's bloody body was discovered Saturday morning in a Long Beach parking lot.

"She was found next to a man who might be her father or stepfather, who was still alive but suffering from self-inflicted wounds, police said.

"KTLA News showed video of the note, which consisted of several large letters written in red on the side of a wall next to where both were found. The exact message could not be made out, but KTLA said the police believe it was written in blood and consider it evidence in the case.

"The man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. The girl, 9, had fatal cuts to her upper body and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

"Long Beach police declined to name the man.

"Officers arrived at the parking lot off Willow Street and Woodruff Avenue, next to the 405 Freeway and a church, after getting a call around 11 a.m. from a passerby.

"Police would not say whether a weapon was found at scene. The man, who was also lying in the parking lot, is still at a hospital and in stable condition."

From the Los Angeles Times...