Arrest made in woman’s stabbing death in Van Nuys

Los Angeles police said Thursday they’ve made an arrest in the stabbing death in Van Nuys of a 32-year-old woman who was found in a pickup truck with her boyfriend, who called authorities and said the couple had been attacked and he had lost consciousness from a stab wound.

Klaudia Y. Alas of Van Nuys was found dead in the passenger seat of a parked pickup around 7:50 a.m. Tuesday in an alley near Kester Avenue and Lemay Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Details of the arrest would be provided at a news conference at 2 p.m. Friday at the LAPD’s Van Nuys station, police said. The name of the suspect has not been released.

Alas’ boyfriend, who was found next to the truck, was taken to a hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening stab wound, according to police.

Homicide Detective Marc Martinez with the LAPD’s Van Nuys Division said Tuesday that the boyfriend, whose name was being withheld, “was considered a person of interest.”

LAPD Capt. Lillian Carranza of the Van Nuys Station said the man called authorities about 7:50 a.m. Tuesday and reported that he had been assaulted by three other men about 4 a.m., and had lost consciousness, but had just awakened.

“LAPD units arrived, and he pointed out the location of his girlfriend, who was slumped over the front seat of his vehicle,” Carranza said. “The rescue ambulance arrived, and immediately pronounced her dead on the scene.”

A weapon possibly used in the killing was found at the scene, Carranza said.

Anyone with information about the case was urged to call Van Nuys detectives at (818) 374-0040.

— City News Service