Topline: Police say the suspect’s brother was struck by the car prior to the chase.
Published: March 4, 2025 7:00 am ET
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Jamison Webster (via GoFundMe)
EL CAJON, CA — Authorities say a California man killed his mother and stuffed her body in the trunk of her car before leading police on pursuit.
On February 25, police were called to a suspicious circumstance at Motel 6, located at 550 Montrose Court, in El Cajon, California, according to the El Cajon Police Department.
The caller reported that he went to check on his mother, who had not returned home after visiting her other son, 24-year-old Richard Leyva, who was staying at the motel. Upon arrival, the caller discovered his mother’s body in the trunk of her black Hyundai Sonata.
Investigators determined that an altercation then happened between the two brothers. Leyva got into the Hyundai and drove off, striking his brother in the process.
The brother was uninjured.
Officers quickly responded to the scene and located the Hyundai. A traffic stop was attempted, but Leyva fled from the officers, leading them on a pursuit.
The chase ended when Leyva crashed into two other vehicles. He was taken into custody after officers deployed a Taser to subdue him.
Upon inspecting the vehicle, officers discovered a deceased woman in the trunk. The woman has been identified as 51-year-old Jamison Webster, and her death is being investigated as a homicide.
Leyva has been booked into San Diego County Jail on charges of homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, and evading law enforcement.
Detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances that led to the woman’s death.
The other drivers involved were uninjured.
According to CBS affiliate KFMB, prosecutors say Webster’s cause of death remains unclear, but there is “evidence of strangulation.”
Authorities believe Webster visited her son at the motel on Monday as he was staying there. Webster was seen on surveillance footage entering his motel room. Several hours later, Leyva is seen dragging her “lifeless body” out of the room by her ankles, and placing her inside the trunk of the car, KFMB reported.
Leyva has pleaded not guilty.
Organizer’s of a GoFundMe for Webster’s family said “Jamison’s life was a testament to her strength and dedication, particularly to her sons, Richard and Xavier. She navigated life’s toughest challenges with grace and unwavering commitment, especially in her relentless efforts to support her son through his struggles with mental illness.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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California Man Leads Police on Chase After Mother’s Body Found in Car Trunk
Police say the suspect’s brother was struck by the car prior to the chase.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 4, 2025 7:00 am ET
Jamison Webster (via GoFundMe)
EL CAJON, CA — Authorities say a California man killed his mother and stuffed her body in the trunk of her car before leading police on pursuit.
On February 25, police were called to a suspicious circumstance at Motel 6, located at 550 Montrose Court, in El Cajon, California, according to the El Cajon Police Department.
The caller reported that he went to check on his mother, who had not returned home after visiting her other son, 24-year-old Richard Leyva, who was staying at the motel. Upon arrival, the caller discovered his mother’s body in the trunk of her black Hyundai Sonata.
Investigators determined that an altercation then happened between the two brothers. Leyva got into the Hyundai and drove off, striking his brother in the process.
The brother was uninjured.
Officers quickly responded to the scene and located the Hyundai. A traffic stop was attempted, but Leyva fled from the officers, leading them on a pursuit.
The chase ended when Leyva crashed into two other vehicles. He was taken into custody after officers deployed a Taser to subdue him.
Upon inspecting the vehicle, officers discovered a deceased woman in the trunk. The woman has been identified as 51-year-old Jamison Webster, and her death is being investigated as a homicide.
Leyva has been booked into San Diego County Jail on charges of homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, and evading law enforcement.
Detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances that led to the woman’s death.
The other drivers involved were uninjured.
According to CBS affiliate KFMB, prosecutors say Webster’s cause of death remains unclear, but there is “evidence of strangulation.”
Authorities believe Webster visited her son at the motel on Monday as he was staying there. Webster was seen on surveillance footage entering his motel room. Several hours later, Leyva is seen dragging her “lifeless body” out of the room by her ankles, and placing her inside the trunk of the car, KFMB reported.
Leyva has pleaded not guilty.
Organizer’s of a GoFundMe for Webster’s family said “Jamison’s life was a testament to her strength and dedication, particularly to her sons, Richard and Xavier. She navigated life’s toughest challenges with grace and unwavering commitment, especially in her relentless efforts to support her son through his struggles with mental illness.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
California Man Leads Police on Chase After Mother’s Body Found in Car Trunk
Police say the suspect’s brother was struck by the car prior to the chase.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 4, 2025 7:00 am ET
Jamison Webster (via GoFundMe)
EL CAJON, CA — Authorities say a California man killed his mother and stuffed her body in the trunk of her car before leading police on pursuit.
On February 25, police were called to a suspicious circumstance at Motel 6, located at 550 Montrose Court, in El Cajon, California, according to the El Cajon Police Department.
The caller reported that he went to check on his mother, who had not returned home after visiting her other son, 24-year-old Richard Leyva, who was staying at the motel. Upon arrival, the caller discovered his mother’s body in the trunk of her black Hyundai Sonata.
Investigators determined that an altercation then happened between the two brothers. Leyva got into the Hyundai and drove off, striking his brother in the process.
The brother was uninjured.
Officers quickly responded to the scene and located the Hyundai. A traffic stop was attempted, but Leyva fled from the officers, leading them on a pursuit.
The chase ended when Leyva crashed into two other vehicles. He was taken into custody after officers deployed a Taser to subdue him.
Upon inspecting the vehicle, officers discovered a deceased woman in the trunk. The woman has been identified as 51-year-old Jamison Webster, and her death is being investigated as a homicide.
Leyva has been booked into San Diego County Jail on charges of homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, and evading law enforcement.
Detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances that led to the woman’s death.
The other drivers involved were uninjured.
According to CBS affiliate KFMB, prosecutors say Webster’s cause of death remains unclear, but there is “evidence of strangulation.”
Authorities believe Webster visited her son at the motel on Monday as he was staying there. Webster was seen on surveillance footage entering his motel room. Several hours later, Leyva is seen dragging her “lifeless body” out of the room by her ankles, and placing her inside the trunk of the car, KFMB reported.
Leyva has pleaded not guilty.
Organizer’s of a GoFundMe for Webster’s family said “Jamison’s life was a testament to her strength and dedication, particularly to her sons, Richard and Xavier. She navigated life’s toughest challenges with grace and unwavering commitment, especially in her relentless efforts to support her son through his struggles with mental illness.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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