Car of missing Hollister mother, Heather Carroll,found on fire/David Jose Quiroz arrested after 10 hr Standoff with LE/Body of Heather Carroll has been positively ID'd. COD is blunt force trauma to the head & strangulation.

Posted: 11:17 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012
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Heather Carroll missing Hollister woman

HOLLISTER, Calif. — The car of a missing Hollister mother caught fire early Thursday morning, but there was no sign of the mother of one, police said.

The Hollister fire department responded to a call that an SUV was on fire at around 2 a.m. at Enterprise Road and Glenview Drive in Hollister.

Hollister police also responded and determined the SUV was the same tan colored Sequoia SUV that belonged to Heather Carroll, a 25-year-old woman who was reported missing on Wednesday.

The vehicle was not occupied at the time of the fire, police said.

Police are currently analyzing the vehicle for more evidence, officials said.

Some residents said they saw the car burning.

"And I saw this car was just completely on fire,” said Jadian Fisch, a neighbor. “I mean the flames were super high (gesturing) and my mom called the police and the fire station and they came right away. I was just worried that somebody was going to be in the car."

Carroll was last seen Wednesday after she dropped off her child at Ladd Lane School at Ladd Lane and Southside Road. Carroll did not return Wednesday to pick up her child and two other children she cares for, which is out of character, according to the woman’s friends and family.

Repeated calls to Carroll’s cell phone have gone unanswered, police said.

Heather Carroll is described as being 5 feet, 5 inches tall and has reddish, wavy hair, brown eyes and weighs 130 pounds.

"Our level of concern was pretty high,” said Hollister Police Chief David Westrick. “And with this new development, it's even higher. We're very concerned about the safety of this missing person."

The Fisch family and other neighbors said they feel the same way.

"If they're 'burning' the car, that means they're probably trying to get rid of fingerprints or any kind of evidence' of any kind,” said Jason Fisch. “It doesn't really bode well. I don't see a positive. I'm not saying there's no hope, but you know, it's kind of discouraging."

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the car fire or anything suspicious at around the time of incident to call police.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Heather Carroll is also asked to contact the police at (831) 636-4331 or 911.

Hollister Police Department

Wednesday October 10th, 2012 :: 07:21 p.m. PDT
AdvisoryPolice ask for help in finding Missing Woman, Heather Alaina Carroll (25) of Hollister.

HOLLISTER, CALIFORNIA – October 10, 2012, –On October 10, 2012, Hollister Police received a report of a missing woman. Heather Alaina Carroll (25) was last seen this morning when she dropped of her child at Ladd Lane School. If anyone has any information on her whereabouts they are asked to call the Hollister Police Department or 911.

Heather Carroll did not return to the school this afternoon to pick her child. She also did not pick up the two additional children she takes care of on a daily basis. Family and friends advise this is very out of character for Heather. Repeated phone calls to her cell phone have gone unanswered.

Heather is 5ft. 5 inches tall, has reddish wavy hair, brown eyes and weighs 130 lbs. She was last seen driving a Tan colored Toyota Sequoia SUV California license plate 5YWF431.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Heather Carroll is asked to contact the Hollister Police Department at 636-4331 or 911. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may call WeTIP at (800) 78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may result in an award of up to $1,000.

Prepared by: Don Pershall, Sergeant
Approved by: Carlos Reynoso, Captain

Address/Location
Hollister Police Department
395 Apollo Way
Hollister, CA 95023

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Friends and Family Start Search Parties for Missing Hollister Mom

Posted: Oct 12, 2012 12:30 AM CDT
Updated: Oct 12, 2012 12:45 AM CDT
By Ricardo Navarro - email

HOLLISTER, Calif. -- "The friends and family of Heather Carroll want to for all the time and energy that the town of Hollister has given towards bringing Heather home safely," said Laurie Chavez, Heather Carroll's close friend.

Its been a little over 36 hours since Carroll was last seen, but friends and family are not wasting any time in starting their search. Carroll's home was filled Thursday night with friends, family and even people who never knew Carroll, but heard the news and wanted to help.

"The amount of responses that is coming from the town on Facebook is overwhelming, our town has definitely pulled together Facebook has been a huge part," said Chavez.

Chavez said nine search groups have already gone out Thursday and some of them were from people who reached out through Facebook.

"What we have had is good information from Facebook as far as putting out new information for others to keep a watch out," said David Westrick, Hollister Police Chief.

Police say this case is serious and are asking for help from the Department of Justice and the FBI to help gather evidence to answer the question, what happened to Carroll?

Until then, friends and family will continue their search.

"We love her, we miss her and we want her home," said Chavez.

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video:
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Where Is Heather Carroll?
October 11, 2012 03:40 AM EDT

Heather Carroll hasn't been seen since she dropped off her child at school Wednesday morning in Hollister, California. This is not a long time to be missing, but friends and family say this is completely out of character for Heather. Does that mean something terrible has happened to her? Maybe or maybe not. Many people have gone voluntarily missing recently. Perhaps she is one of them. Then again, maybe not.

Heather is 25 years old, 5'5", 130 pounds, with reddish wavy hair, and brown eyes. She was last seen driving a tan Toyota Sequoia with California plates, 5YWF431. Her absence was noticed when she failed to pick up her child from school, as well as the other two children she cares for daily. Depending on the ages of the children, that could be anywhere from 4 to 8 hours when something may have happened.

Have you seen Heather Carroll? If so, please contact the Hollister Police Department at 636-4331 or 911. If you wish to remain anonymous, you may call WeTIP at (800) 78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may result in an award of up to $1,000.

Hopefully she returns home safe and soon. One doesn't even want to speculate the other possibilities of the situation.

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Hollister Woman Missing After Dropping off Child at School
By Daniel Miranda
on Friday, October 12th, 2012 at 10:54 am

Vehicle found burned
HOLLISTER—Authorities from the City of Hollister are all on the lookout for Heather Alaina Carroll, 25, of Hollister as she was reported missing on Wednesday after she did not pick up her child from school.

On Wednesday, October 10 at about 8:15 a.m. Carroll dropped off her child at Ladd Lane School at 161 Ladd Lane in Hollister. She did not return to pick up two additional children that she takes care on a daily basis.

Family and friends are concerned about this as calls to her cell phone have gone repeatedly unanswered. Her family advised that this is out of her character.

Heather Alaina Carroll is described as being five-feet five-inches tall, with reddish wavy hair, brown eyes and weighs about 130 pounds.

“This investigation is still in its preliminary stage,” Hollister Police Chief David Westrick said. “At this point we cannot say if she was abducted.”

On October 11, at 2:10 a.m. the Hollister Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire in the area of Enterprise Road and Glenview Drive. When authorities from both the Fire Department and Police Department reached the scene they determined that is was the vehicle driven by Carroll.

The vehicle was described, as a tan colored Toyota Sequoia SUV license plate is 5YWF431. The vehicle was found approximately 1.7 miles east of Ladd Lane Elementary School. Evidence in the vehicle revealed that it was not occupied at the time of the fire.

The vehicle has been stored at the Hollister Police Department for forensic analysis. Teams from the San Benito County Sheriff Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) are conducting the forensic investigation.

“As soon as this story broke the community has pulled to together to locate this young lady,” Chief Westrick added. “The community has put together a flyer and their goal is to have them posted all over the central coast.”

The Hollister Police department is asking everyone throughout the state to print out a flyer and be on the lookout for Carroll.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Heather Carroll is asked to contact the Hollister Police Department at 1-831-636-4331 or 911. Person wishing to remain anonymous may call WeTip at 800-78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may result in an award of up to $1,000.

Read More:

KION: Friends and Family Start Search Parties for Missing Hollister Mom

KSBW: Missing Hollister Mom’s SUV Found on Fire

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Hollister mom Heather Carroll still missing Friday

UPDATED 1:16 PM PDT Oct 12, 2012
HOLLISTER, Calif. —

A 25-year-old Hollister woman was still missing Friday morning as police, family members and friends remained mystified about her disappearance.

MISSING HOLLISTER MOM'S SUV FOUND TORCHED IN FIELD

Hollister police say an SUV found burning in a field belongs to missing mom Heather Carroll who hasn't been seen since dropping her son off at school Wednesday.

Heather Alaina Carroll was last seen when she dropped her son off at Ladd Lane School in Hollister on Wednesday morning.

The usually responsible mother did not return to the school that afternoon to pick up her son, nor did she pick up two additional children whom she takes care of daily. Carroll was first reported missing by a family member at 5 p.m. Wednesday, police Chief David Westrick said.

Carroll's sport utility vehicle was found torched in an agricultural field near Enterprise Road and Glenview Drive in Hollister at 2:10 a.m. Thursday.

Jadian Fisch, 14, and his mother called 911 when they heard and saw the SUV ignite into a fireball outside their home.

"I heard a big boom, like popping noises, and I ran to the window," Fisch said. The teen said the noise was so loud that it woke him up.

Fisch then used a cellphone to record a video of the burning SUV through his home's window.

"Evidence in the vehicle revealed it was not occupied at the time of the fire," police Capt. Carlos Reynoso said. "The vehicle has been stored at the Hollister Police Department for forensic analysis."

Friends said Carroll did not answer her cellphone when they attempted numerous times to call her.

"This is very out of character for this young lady. From the very beginning of this case we were concerned," Westrick said.

On Friday morning, Hollister police announced they are activating a search team, called San Benito County Search and Rescue Unit,and cautioned the public about trying to search for Carroll on their own.

"There have been reports of citizens in small groups searching throughout the region. The Hollister Police Department would request that citizen groups be extremely careful as injuries or the possibility of one of these citizen searchers becoming disoriented or lost could cause San Benito County Search and Rescue to alter or affect the targeted search for Heather Carroll," police said.

"If additional resources from citizen groups are needed, the Hollister Police Department will announce the need and set-up a rally point in coordination with Search and Rescue," police said.

Carroll is 5 feet 5 inches tall, has red wavy hair, brown eyes and weighs 130 pounds. Anyone with information on Carroll's whereabouts is urged to call the Hollister Police Department at 831-636-4331 or 911.

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Hollister cops in standoff with man connected to missing mom

UPDATED 7:03 PM PDT Oct 12, 2012

Hollister police are in a standoff with a man who is connected to the disappearance of Heather Alaina Carroll.

HOLLISTER, Calif. —
Hollister police are in a standoff with a man who is barricaded inside a house and is connected to a missing 25-year-old woman, Heather Alaina Carroll.

The man is holed up inside a house on the 2100 block of Cerra Vista Drive and a SWAT team had the house surrounded with guns drawn.

Police Chief David Westrick said officers had gone to the house just before 5 p.m. to interview a resident who lived there to gain more information about Carroll's disappearance.

The house is located across the street from Cerra Vista Elementary School. Students had already been sent home for the day and only teachers and administrators were still on campus when the standoff began.

Residents who were evacuated from their homes on Cerra Vista Drive and Union said the man in the standoff appeared to be suicidal.

Carroll was last seen when she dropped her 5-year-old son off at Ladd Lane School in Hollister Wednesday morning.

The usually responsible mother did not return to the school that afternoon to pick up her son, nor did she pick up two additional children whom she takes care of daily. Carroll was first reported missing by a family member at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Westrick said.

At 2 a.m. Thursday, Carroll's sport utility vehicle was found torched in an agricultural field near Enterprise Road and Glenview Drive in Hollister.

Jadian Fisch, 14, and his mother called 911 when they heard and saw the SUV ignite into a fireball outside their home.

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Heather Carroll Update: Man Barricades Self in Home During Shootout

October 12, 2012 09:45 PM EDT

Heather Carroll breaking developments: A shootout in Hollister, California is believed to be connected to the disappearance of the 25-year-old mom who has been missing for two days. It's reported that several shots were fired by a man who then barricaded himself in a home. At nearly 6:00 p.m., SWAT officers surrounded the home with guns drawn.

Witnesses on the scene say the man appears to be suicidal, but there doesn't appear to be any other detail leading to a positive connection between this case and the disappearance of Heather Carroll. However, news sources believe so and it doesn't help that this is all taking place just a couple of blocks from where the SUV was found burned.

Hopefully some positive details come out of this and this doesn't end with too much bloodshed. It's good to be confident in law enforcement and SWAT officers as they work out this conflict.

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Posted: Oct 12, 2012 8:15 PM CDT
Updated: Oct 12, 2012 9:57 PM CDT
By Tom Jones
Hollister Police Say Suspect in Cerra Vista Home is Friend of Missing Mom's Family

HOLLISTER, Calif- Hollister Police say the suspect who has barricaded himself in a Cerra Vista home is a friend of Heather Carroll's family, the woman who has been reported missing since early in the week.

On Friday afternoon, Hollister Police got information that a man connected to Carroll's disappearance lives on the 2100 block of Cerra Vista Drive.

While going to the house, they were informed the guy may be armed so as a safety precaution they called in outside forces.

Hollister Police want to stress that there was no shooting, nor shots fired, whatsoever.

One man is confirmed inside the home but it is unknown if anyone else is, including 25 year old Heather Carroll.

Around 5 p.m. Friday, Cerra Vista School and other nearby residences were evacuated.

Right now in addition to Hollister Police, Morgan Hill and Gilroy Police, CHP, San Benito County Sheriff, the Unified Narcotic Team, the South Santa Clara County SWAT Team are on scene.

Hollister Police say they are reviewing the best way to enter the home safely but at this time, do not know when that will be.

Heather Carroll was last seen on Wednesday morning after dropping her child off at Ladd Lane School on the 100 block of Ladd Lane.

Early Thursday morning, Hollister Police were called out to the area of Enterprise and Glen View Drive where Heather Carroll's car was found on fire.

Central Coast News has a crew on scene and will bring you the very latest details throughout the night at [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Posted: Friday, October 12, 2012 6:28 pm
Kollin Kosmicki

Police have remained in a standoff for several hours with a "person of interest" in the case involving a missing 25-year-old Hollister woman.

Hollister police have barricaded off the area in the 2100 block of Cerra Vista Drive and have advised residents to stay away. The home is across the street from Cerra Vista School and about a mile from the location where police found the missing woman's sport utility vehicle engulfed in flames early Thursday.
Police believe the person in the home has a connection to Heather Carroll, a mother and wife who went missing Wednesday after dropping off her young boy at Ladd Lane School. Police found her SUV at at 2 a.m. Thursday in an area near Enterprise Road and Glenview Drive.

As of 8:45 p.m. Friday, police from area agencies were surrounding the neighborhood. As the standoff had continued for more than four hours, the scene was relatively quiet. Police with a trained Gilroy SWAT team had been in contact with the person of interest, but Hollister interim Police Chief David Westrick did not know the level of communication that occurred to that point.

As the standoff continued Friday night, dozens of neighborhood residents gathered outside of the barricaded area to watch the events unfold.

Authorities had been in the standoff since early Friday evening. Police were on the way to the residence when they were alerted the person might have a firearm, said the chief, who indicated the timing of the tip about a gun was a coincidence.

Westrick declined to verify details about the person of interest. He said police did not know whether anyone else was in the home.

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Let's hope this POI has Heather and will give up and release her. Wonder what the "family connection" is.

Posted: 8:12 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, 2012

Suspect in woman’s disappearance barricaded in Hollister home

By KTVU.com and Wires
HOLLISTER, Calif. — A man who is a friend of a missing Hollister mother barricaded himself in his home in Hollister Friday night.

Hollister police and several other agencies were outside the home in the 2100 block of Cerra Vista Drive.

The man may be armed, police said.

It was unknown if Heather Carroll, a woman who disappeared earlier this week, was in the home.

Carroll, 25, was last seen Wednesday after she dropped off her child at Ladd Lane School at Ladd Lane and Southside Road.

Carroll did not return Wednesday to pick up her child and the two other children she cares for, which is out of character, according to the woman’s friends and family.
Repeated calls to Carroll’s cell phone have gone unanswered, police said.

The car of a missing Hollister mother was found on fire early Thursday morning, but there was no sign of the mother of one, police said.

The Hollister fire department responded to a call that an SUV was on fire at around 2 a.m. at Enterprise Road and Glenview Drive in Hollister.

Hollister police also responded and determined the SUV was the same tan colored Sequoia SUV that belonged to Heather Carroll, a 25-year-old woman who was reported missing on Wednesday.

The vehicle was not occupied at the time of the fire, police said.

Police are currently analyzing the vehicle for more evidence, officials said.

Heather Carroll is described as being 5 feet, 5 inches tall and has reddish, wavy hair, brown eyes and weighs 130 pounds.

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Thank you so much Wrap for getting Heather's story out there! This just hit way too close to home as this is a cousin of mine. We have never been close cousins out self, but I do stay in touch with Heather's parents and her father is my Dad's really close cousin that he grew up with and this has really hit my family HARD! I fear the worst, but pray for a miracle that she is ok!! I will post as much as I can and promise to stay in better contact with you all!! Hugs N Luvs to you all!!

Take it as easy as you can, Mommy, you've been through a lot today according to your FB.

I really hope Heather is alive and that this POS is holding her hostage and w/give up. I also think he is probably the one that set the car on fire. What do you think?

Thanks Wrap... Sent you a PM over there too!
Ya, I think LE has some info that they aren't giving out that l think led them to this "POS", aka "Friend of the Family". They are only telling family information as soon as they are ready to release it to the media, which I completely understand. I just feel so dang bad for her parents and her son! They are just totally lost! They aren't telling her son anything but that they are just trying to find out where Mommy is. He has been a trooper and finally stopped asking when shes coming home . He is only 7 I think. I will definitely post any updates I find out if at all. I am seriously hoping for her to be held up in that house, but I also know the family is preparing for the worst at this point on!

Repeated calls to Carroll’s cell phone have gone unanswered, police said.

I wonder if there is a GPS on her phone so LE can locate it? I think most of the new phones have that feature.

Good question BJ. Mommy I am so sorry to hear of your connection to this and I so feel for her, her parents and that poor little son of hers!!
I hope that she's alive and in the house w/ that 'family friend' and that she comes out alive.

Posted: Oct 12, 2012 6:15 PM PDT
Updated: Oct 13, 2012 12:31 AM PDT

HOLLISTER, Calif- Central Coast News reporter, Ricardo Navarro spoke with the parents of missing mother, Heather Carroll. They say the suspect in the barricaded home is named Dave and that he was in their daughter's wedding.

As of 11:29pm the south Santa Clara County SWAT Team had moved into the front lawn of the house and into the house.

Still no word on the person of interest believed to be inside or whether Heather Carroll is in the house as well.

Hollister Police say the suspect who has barricaded himself in a Cerra Vista home is a friend of Heather Carroll's family, the woman who has been reported missing since early in the week.

On Friday afternoon, Hollister Police got information that a man connected to Carroll's disappearance lives on the 2100 block of Cerra Vista Drive.

While going to the house, they were informed the guy may be armed so as a safety precaution they called in outside forces.

Hollister Police want to stress that there was no shooting, nor shots fired, whatsoever.

One man is confirmed inside the home but it is unknown if anyone else is, including 25 year old Heather Carroll.

Police tell Central Coast News that the suspect's mother, who lives in the home, is now there and speaking with officers.

Around 5 p.m. Friday, Cerra Vista School and other nearby residences were evacuated.

Right now in addition to Hollister Police, Morgan Hill and Gilroy Police, CHP, San Benito County Sheriff, the Unified Narcotic Team, the South Santa Clara County SWAT Team are on scene.

Hollister Police say they are reviewing the best way to enter the home safely but at this time, do not know when that will be.

Heather Carroll was last seen on Wednesday morning after dropping her child off at Ladd Lane School on the 100 block of Ladd Lane.

Early Thursday morning, Hollister Police were called out to the area of Enterprise and Glen View Drive where Heather Carroll's car was found on fire.

Central Coast News has a crew on scene and will bring you the very latest details throughout the night at [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

OK. I'm hoping Heather is tied up in a closet somewhere in his house. If she is dead then why didn't he leave her in her car when he torched it?

I am hoping she is in the house but not tied up in a closet and he has done nothing to harm her in any way.

Heather Carroll Suspect Is a Friend
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October 13, 2012 02:40 AM EDT

Heather Carroll still hasn't been found, but there are a few new details regarding the standoff police in Hollister were in earlier. As it turns out, the standoff is in fact related to the missing mom, and the armed man who barricaded himself in a home to hide from officials happens to be a so-called friend of her family. This latest development adds another negative element to an already tragic disappearance.

Where is Heather Carroll? There are currently no new updates regarding the recent standoff, but officials have made a clarification against earlier reports. It was earlier reported that several shots were fired, but there were no shots fired. However, the suspect is armed so SWAT officers are there for precaution.

It's hopeful that this will end in Heather being found alive, but the odds of that happening are becoming slimmer with each day that passes. What could this "friend" of the missing mom be so scared of police about and why is he armed? Do you think he murdered Heather?

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Hollister Police arrested David Jose Quiroz, 30, who they said was possibly involved or had information in the disappearance of 25-year-old Heather Alaina Carroll.

Carroll was reported missing on Wednesday after she failed to pick her child up from school.

On Friday, shortly before 4 p.m., investigators responded to Quiroz's residence in the 2100 block of Cerra Vista to contact him for questioning.

Just prior to Hollister Police Investigators arrival, they were advised Quiroz had been reported suicidal and possibly armed.

Hollister Police Officers, San Benito County Sheriff's deputies, San Benito County District Attorney investigators and Agents with UNET helped evacuate the surrounding residences and children at the YMCA afterschool program at Cerra Vista School.

At about 3 a.m. on Saturday, Quiroz surrendered to SWAT team members and was placed into custody.

A search warrant was then initiated for the residence.

San Benito County Search and Rescue Unit will continue its operations on Saturday.

Anyone with information on the disappearance of Carroll is asked to call the Hollister Police Department at 636-4331 or 911.

If you want to remain anonymous, call WeTIP at (800) 78-CRIME.

Information provided to WeTip may result in an award of up to $1,000.

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After an 11-hour standoff, the "person of interest" suspected in the case of missing Hollister woman Heather Carroll surrendered to police and was arrested, according to the Hollister Police Department.
Police arrested David J. Quiroz, 30, around 3 a.m. at the residence in the 2100 block of Cerra Vista Drive where the man had remained in a standoff before surrendering without incident.
Police are continuing a search of the home and said the agency would release more information after it is concluded.
They are searching for the 25-year-old mother and wife who was reported missing Wednesday. Carroll was last seen dropping off her young boy at Ladd Lane School that morning. Authorities then found her sport utility vehicle at 2 a.m. Thursday in a field near Enterprise Road and Glenview Drive, about a mile from the house where the standoff occurred.
Investigators had obtained information Friday pointing to the possible involvement of Quiroz. While responding to the residence for questioning, dispatchers received a call from someone saying Quiroz was armed and suicidal, according to a police statement.
As the standoff proceeded, it was a relatively calm environment. Police barricaded off several blocks to keep residents away. They immediately evacuated the neighborhood, including an after-school program at the Cerra Vista School campus that is across the street from the scene of the standoff.
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mommy I am so sorry to read the stories about your cousin. I am on pin and needles waiting for more news.

Around 5:30 AM Saturday morning, Hollister Police Investigators discovered the body of a deceased female in the residence of David Jose Quiroz. It is presumed that the body is that of missing person Heather Carroll, but this has not been confirmed.

The family of Heather Carroll has been notified. Heather Carroll went missing Wednesday morning after dropping her son off at school. Her car was found burned early Thursday morning.

During interviews, Quiroz directed investigators to the location of the body at the residence. Quiroz told investigators that the victim died Wednesday morning after they got into an argument.

Quiroz was arrested for murder and booked into the San Benito County Jail.

Forensic experts and San Benito County Search and Rescue crews will continue their operations today.

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UPDATED 12:07 PM PDT Oct 13, 2012
KSBW

HOLLISTER, Calif. —
Hollister police said the body of a woman found inside the home where a man had a 10-hour standoff with officers is believed to be Heather Alaina Carroll.

Hollister police arrested David Jose Quiroz, 30, following a more than 10-hour standoff with officers and a SWAT team.

Investigators learned that Quiroz was possibly involved or had information in the disappearance of Carroll, 25, the Hollister mother who was reported missing on Wednesday after she failed to pick up her child from school.

Quiroz was holed up inside a house on the 2100 block of Cerra Vista Drive and a SWAT team had the house surrounded with guns drawn.

Police Chief David Westrick said officers had gone to the house just before 5 p.m. to interview a resident who lived there to gain more information about Carroll's disappearance.

However, just before officers arrived, dispatchers were called by a person saying Quiroz was suicidal and possibly armed. The SWAT team, from Southern Santa Clara County, responded due to the unfolding incident’s high risk, Westrick said.

Quiroz surrendered to authorities at 3 a.m., police said.

The house is across the street from Cerra Vista Elementary School. Students had already been sent home for the day and only teachers and administrators were still on campus when the standoff began.

Residents who were evacuated from their homes on Cerra Vista Drive and Union said the man in the standoff appeared to be suicidal.

The usually responsible mother did not return to the school that afternoon to pick up her son, nor did she pick up two additional children whom she takes care of daily. Carroll was first reported missing by a family member at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Westrick said.

At 2 a.m. Thursday, Carroll's sport utility vehicle was found torched in an agricultural field near Enterprise Road and Glenview Drive in Hollister.

Jadian Fisch, 14, and his mother called 911 when they heard and saw the SUV ignite into a fireball outside their home.

"I heard a big boom, like popping noises, and I ran to the window," Fisch said. The teen said the noise was so loud that it woke him up, and he used a cellphone to record a video of the burning SUV through a window.

No one was inside the SUV when it burned, police Capt. Carlos Reynoso said.

Grady Carroll said his wife's sudden disappearance was like a "bad dream."

"It's been surreal," he told KSBW's May Chow on Friday.

The missing woman's father, Mark Beckwith, said, "I want her to keep hope and keep strength and keep on fighting. We want her to return, we're doing everything we can for her."

"Whoever has here, release her for us, for her little son," Beckwith said.

On Friday morning, investigators announced they were activating the San Benito County Search and Rescue Unit, and focused their search on rural Tres Pinos, south of Hollister.

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Mommy, I am so very sorry. Truly, there are NO WORDS to express the grief all family and friends are going through.

On October 13, 2012 at approximately 5:30 AM Hollister Police Investigators discovered the body of a deceased female at the residence of David Jose Quiroz (30 yrs). It is presumed that the body is that of missing person Heather Carroll, although official coroner identification is pending.

The family of Heather Carroll has been notified of the discovery at the suspect’s residence.

The Hollister Police Department wishes to express our deepest condolences to the victim’s family, friends and community volunteers.

During interviews, Quiroz directed investigators to the location of the female body at his residence. Quiroz told investigators that the victim died Wednesday morning (October 10, 2012) after he and the victim got into an argument at his residence. Quiroz has been arrested for 187 PC – Murder, Quiroz has been booked into San Benito County Jail.

It should be noted that Investigators discovered that Quiroz participated in one of the many citizen group sponsored regional searches for the victim on Thursday (October 11, 2012).

San Benito County Search and Rescue Unit will continue their operations today as a part of this investigation to assist in the possible location of evidence. Forensic experts with the Department of Justice will be processing the crime scene for evidence.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call Investigations Bureau at (831) 636-4331. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may call WeTIP at (800) 78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may result in an award of up to $1,000.



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Saw this comment on the link BJ posted:
(leaving out name of person that posted)

So sad. I didn't know her but I pretty much grew up with her husband. I couldn't imagine if something like this happened but I hope he keeps strong for his son.

Wrapitup wrote:I am hoping she is in the house but not tied up in a closet and he has done nothing to harm her in any way.

I was afraid that would be too much to hope for :(

They have not released the cause of death or even that it IS her body. Of course we all know it is her but am curious what his motive was as this was a "friend". Some friend! OMG!!

So very sad and sorry it ended this way. I hope he is locked up forever until he is dead. He is evil.

Heather Carroll Found Dead

October 13, 2012 03:35 PM EDT

The search for Heather Carroll has taken a negative turn with the discovery of a body that police believe is hers. The body was located in a Hollister home in the early morning hours of Saturday, 10/13/2012, after 30-year-old David Jose Quiroz surrendered to police. They had been in a standoff for nearly 12 hours.

The family and friends of the missing woman are undoubtedly in a state of mourning right now, but it was suspected yesterday evening that the woman may have been harmed by Quiroz—who is described as being a close family friend of the victim's.

Identification of the body will determine whether or not it is in fact Heather Carroll, but as officials have indicated, it's pretty much accepted that this missing woman is dead.

Yesterday SWAT officers had guns drawn and surrounded the home of Quiroz, where they believed he was hiding information about Carroll's disappearance. With the discovery of her body in his home, it's evident that they were correct.

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During interviews, Quiroz directed investigators to the location of the body at the residence. Quiroz told investigators that the victim died Wednesday morning after they got into an argument.
Friends of Quiroz tell us that they are not surprised by today's developments, and that Quiroz had an aggressive nature and may be suicidal.

Quiroz was arrested for murder and booked into the San Benito County Jail.

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Offender Name: DAVID JOSE QUIROZ
Offender ID/CDCR#:92374
Date of Birth:05/28/1982
Age: 30
Race: Hispanic
Gender: Male

Custody Status: In Custody
Location of Offender:San Benito County Sheriff's Office

Quiroz, a friend of the victim, showed officers the body and told investigators that the victim died Wednesday morning after he and the woman got into an argument at his home.
Police said the suspect told investigators her death was accidental.
"He did tell us he was responsible for her death,” said Hollister police Lt. Carlos Reynoso.

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Accidental? GMAB!!

Thanks, BJ!!

Wrapitup wrote:Accidental? GMAB!!

I can't believe how stupid criminals are. If he didn't mean to kill her then why didn't he call 911? Did he maybe kill her in the commission of a felony? Ya think? He is an idiot.
joan+20

mommyof3kids wrote:I am so sorry I haven't been back to post updates and am sooooo thankful for all of you that have been keeping this thread alive! It has been such an emotional roller coaster this weekend! Trying to keep up to date with my family that do not have internet (Grandparents) and also on FB. I actually got the news of the body being found from our super sluether BJ posting to my wall! Bless your heart woman! I was at my sons pee wee football game and didn't want him to see how upset I was, but of course the family knew I was upset and asked. My sweet MIL has been so dang worried and she's not even related, but this case is so sad and especially being so close to home! There is a memorial this Thursday in the Seattle area that I am hoping to go to! My poor Dad is sooooo upset (Heather's Dad is his REALLY close cousin) and he can't handle seeing him go through this and keeps telling me how he cant help but himself in his shoes, meaning if this was to happen to me! OMG.. I am such a daddy's girl and so was Heather with her dad Mark! UGH!! I could hardly watch the video's where her dad Mark was crying! It was so unreal!

Sorry ladies, I feel like I am just pouring my heart out!

I am so sorry this happened in your family. It is way too close for comfort even for me. Usually we don't have contact with the family. I am very sad.
joan+20

You would be surprised at how many members we have here that have lost a loved one.

Wrapitup wrote:You would be surprised at how many members we have here that have lost a loved one.

What a terrible thing. How does a family cope with losing a family member? How do they ever feel safe again?
joan+20

That's a very good question. We have one member here that lost her daughter to a murderer and it took over ten years for it to finally be brought to trial. He only got ten years. You can read it here:
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There is more in Member's Only.

Posted: Oct 15, 2012 7:47 PM CDT
By Chloe Beardsley - email

HOLLISTER, Calif. -- Hollister police are not giving any new information about the details of the relationship between Heather Carroll and David Quiroz, the man suspected of killing her.

Since the standoff on Friday we have been following the very active Hollister Neighborhood Watch Facebook Page and there were of course a lot of theories and questions about the nature of their relationship

Central Coast News was able to nail down some more information about how Heather Carroll and her accused killer met. We found out they were introduced through her husband Grady, who went to high school with Quiroz at San Benito High School in Hollister. Quiroz was even in the Carroll's wedding.

Police still won't tell us why Heather went to David Quiroz' house on Wednesday or what the apparent argument was about. Police also won't say how Quiroz killed Heather Carroll and they are still waiting to release what evidence they were able to pull off her charred car.

Hollister police are remaining tight lipped about any evidence in this story. A news conference will be held on Tuesday with more information about what happened.

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HOLLISTER, Calif. —
Hollister police said the body of a woman found inside the home where a man had a 10-hour standoff with officers has been positively identified as Heather Alaina Carroll.

According to the coroner, the preliminary cause of death has been determined to be a combination of blunt force trauma and strangulation. The final cause of death is pending the results of a routine toxicology test.

David Quiroz, 30, was arraigned Tuesday afternoon on murder charges. Quiroz was arrested at 3 a.m. Saturday following a 10-hour standoff with a SWAT team at his mother's house on the 2100 block of Cerra Vista Drive.

Quiroz directed officers to the woman's body during interviews after his arrest, police said. He told officers the victim died Wednesday morning after he and the woman got into an argument at his home, according to police.

Carroll, 25, was a Hollister mother who was reported missing on Wednesday after she failed to pick up her son from Ladd Lane Elementary School in Hollister.

At 2 a.m. Thursday, Carroll's sport utility vehicle was found torched in an agricultural field near Enterprise Road and Glenview Drive in Hollister.

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Plea Entered on the Case of Hollister Woman

Posted: Oct 16, 2012 3:05 PM CDT
Updated: Oct 16, 2012 4:32 PM CDT

HOLLISTER, Calif- Police say that the body found in the home of suspect David Quiroz has been positively identified as Heather Alaina Carroll.

The 25-year-old mom died of blunt force trauma and strangulation, said police. However, the final cause of death is still pending as they wait for the results of a toxicology examination.

Quiroz was arraigned Tuesday afternoon.

He entered a plea of not guilty.

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Posted: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 3:25 pm
Melissa Flores

David J. Quiroz, 30, of Hollister was arraigned Tuesday afternoon on charges alleging murder and kidnapping for ransom with bodily harm in the death of Heather Carroll, 25, who was found in his Cerra Vista home by law enforcement authorities on Saturday.

Judge Steven Sanders, who presided over the arraignment, set bail at $1.5 million with a preliminary examination set for 2 p.m. Nov. 15.

Dressed in white and black jail garb, Quiroz kept his head down during the preceding and answered most of Sanders’ questions with a simple yes or no. Sanders asked if he could afford to hire an attorney, if Quiroz was working and when the last time he had worked. He also asked if Quiroz received government assistance or assistance of a family member. Quiroz's responses were inaudible to members of the audience.

Public defender Greg La Forge asked the judge to allow five to six weeks before the next court appearance. District Attorney Candice Hooper represented the prosecution.

The San Benito County courtroom was filled to capacity with friends and family members of Carroll – whose husband Grady and in-laws Susan and Mike Carroll are long-time Hollister residents.

Police released a statement Tuesday noting that Carroll, a Hollister mother and wife, was officially identified in the homicide. After a Monday autopsy, the coroner ruled her preliminary cause of death as blunt force trauma and strangulation.

Carroll went missing Wednesday after dropping her 5-year-old son off at Ladd Lane Elementary School. Her sport utility vehicle showed up – engulfed in flames – early Thursday morning near Enterprise Road and Glenview Drive. Police on Friday were on the way to question Quiroz, a family friend of the Carrolls, when someone called 911 reporting he was possibly suicidal and may have a firearm.

After an 11-hour standoff – police said there was no firearm involved – Quiroz surrendered early Saturday morning at his home in the 2100 block of Cerra Vista Drive on Hollister's southeast side. He directed investigators to Carroll's body in the home. Police believe Quiroz killed her in the same residence.

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This SOP is such a coward for pleading not guilty! Now the family has to go through the long court process and possibly having to hear all the horrible details! This makes my blood boil!!