Deputies said a domestic dispute led to severe injuries, a barricade and a burned home.
APPLE VALLEY, Calif. — A woman was found dead inside an Apple Valley home Friday after authorities said she stabbed a man, barricaded herself inside and set the house on fire during a domestic dispute.
San Bernardino County sheriff’s officials said the case is being investigated as attempted murder and an in-custody death. The man, a 59-year-old Apple Valley resident, was taken to a hospital after deputies found him with severe injuries. His condition was not released.
Deputies were sent at about 8:49 a.m. April 24 to the 15900 block of Washoan Road for what officials described as an “unknown problem.” When they arrived, they found the injured man at a nearby property. Investigators later learned he had been stabbed at the home he shared with his wife, sheriff’s officials said.
As deputies moved toward the residence, they saw smoke coming from inside. Officials said deputies tried to enter the home to rescue anyone still inside, but the house had been barricaded. A family member who was inside managed to get out safely before shots were heard, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
The Sheriff’s Specialized Enforcement Division responded and tried to contact the woman inside, but officials said those efforts were not successful. Within minutes, the home was fully engulfed in flames. Nearby homes were evacuated while Apple Valley Fire District crews worked to knock down the fire.
After the flames were extinguished, deputies cleared the home and found a deceased woman inside. Her name had not been released pending positive identification. Officials said an autopsy will determine her cause and manner of death.
Investigators said the man and woman had been involved in a physical fight before the stabbing. They also determined the woman set the home on fire after the altercation. Authorities have not said whether the shots heard at the scene were fired by the woman, deputies or someone else.
The Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division is handling the case. Detectives T. Kleveno and Sgt. Gerardo Moreno were listed as contacts for the investigation. The case remained open as of Sunday, April 26, with no additional identities released.
Author note: Last updated April 26, 2026.