City stunned by brutal killing
Simi woman stabbed to death by daughter, police say
By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

Photos by SEBASTIAN RAMIREZ/Special to the Acorn FRIGHTENING SCENE- Police officers fill Diane Street in eastern Simi Valley on Tuesday after patrol officers responding to a call discovered a woman's dead body at a Simi home. Below, K-9 units respond to the scene to help search for clues that eventually led to the victim's daughter.

A 41-year-old woman who the police department is describing as a transient was arrested this week after her mother was found stabbed to death at her Simi Valley home Tuesday afternoon.

Lauren Donahue was arrested at the Santa Clarita Amtrak Station and charged with the murder of her mother, 63-year-old Rose Weiss, whose body was found by police at her residence on the 5300 block of Diane Street, according to Sgt. Adam Darough.

"She was the victim of multiple stabbings," he said. "A motive for the killing is still unknown at this time."

Police received a call reporting "suspicious circumstances" in the neighborhood, which is located near the intersection of East Los Angeles Avenue and Stearns Street, at approximately 2:44 p.m. on Feb. 5.

Shortly after arrival, patrol officers discovered Weiss' body on her property. Officials would not disclose whether she was found inside or outside of her home.

Following an investigation of the premises and the neighborhood by Simi Valley detectives and K-9 units, the police department determined that Donahue was the prime suspect, Darough said.

"Anytime you go to a homicide scene, you don't want to rule anything out," he said. "You always want to start the investigation big and then condense it as you get more information."

Police eventually received a clue that Donahue might be trying to board a train, Darough said, a tip that led them to the Santa Clarita train station where they located and arrested Donahue.

The investigation into Weiss' murder is still ongoing, and police would not disclose how they found Donahue or identified her as the suspect.

According to Ventura County Superior Court records, Donahue was convicted of possession of a controlled substance in January 2007.

SEBASTIAN RAMIREZ/Special to the Acorn THE INVESTIGATION- Officers look for evidence along Colleen Avenue on Tuesday afternoon after a local woman was found stabbed to death.

A volunteer at the Simi Valley Samaritan Center, who asked to remain anonymous, said Donahue last utilized the center's services in 2003.

The employee could not provide any further information about Donahue.

Anyone with information about the crime is encouraged to call the Simi Valley Police Department's tip-line at (805) 583-6984.

Callers can remain anonymous.