Body of Hollister Woman Found
Family friend reportedly suicidal
HOLLISTER—The community of Hollister is mourning the death of Heather Alaina Carroll after her body was discovered in a home in the 2100 block of Cerra Vista on Saturday. Police have arrested a friend of hers, David Jose Quiroz, 30 of Hollister and charged him with her murder.
David Jose Quiroz
On Friday October 13 shortly before 4 p.m. police responded to the home of David Quiroz on the 2100 block of Cerra Vista in Hollister to question him about the disappearance of Carroll. Before police could get to the house they received a call that Quiroz was suicidal and armed.
The Hollister Police Department requested mutual assistance as this high-risk incident unfolded. A number of agencies responded to the incident. Even the San Benito County District Attorney Investigators along with agents with the UNET lent a hand by evacuating the surrounding residences and children from the YMCA after school program at the Cerra Vista School, which is across the street.
At about 3 a.m. on Saturday, Quiroz surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident. Upon a search of the residence authorities found the body of a deceased female. The body is presumed to be that of Heather Alaina Carroll who as been missing since last Wednesday. An official coroners identification is still pending.
During interrogation Quiroz directed investigators to where the body of the female was located in his property. He told authorities that Carroll died Wednesday morning after they got into an argument at his residence.
“From the time we got this call we started working it right away,” Hollister Police Chief David Westrick said. “The circumstances about this case were very different than your ordinary missing persons case.”
Quiroz participated in one of the many citizen groups’ searches for Carroll on Thursday. Quiroz was booked into the San Benito County Jail.
The family of Heather Carroll has been notified of the discovery at Quiroz’ residence. The Hollister Police Department wishes to express their deepest condolences to Carroll’s family, friends and community volunteers.
“I am real proud of our community in the way that they responded to this case,” Chief Westrick added. ”But I am saddened that it had this type of ending that it did, it has left a community stunned.”
This is still an active investigation and the Hollister Police Department is asking anyone with information regarding this case to call the Investigation Bureau at 1-831-636-4331. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may call WeTip at 800-78-CRIME.
Update – 8/11/15 – The San Benito District Attorney’s office announced that David Jose Quiroz has pleaded no contest to first degree murder in the death of Heather Carroll. He faces a minimum sentence of 25 years to life in prison. Candice Hooper, San Benito County District Attorney said in a statement “I would like to thank all the assisting agencies for their collaborative efforts in reaching this conclusion and I would once again offer my condolences to the family of Heather Carroll.”
Carroll was reported missing after she had dropped off her child at school in Hollister, and did not return at the end of the school day. Her father, living out of state, was the one who alerted authorities she was missing. Her car was found the next day, burning and parked at Enterprise Road and Glenview Drive in Hollister. Two days later, on October 13, 2012, Quiroz was arrested after the standoff with police. He later told investigators that she died at his home after they got into an argument the morning she disappeared.
Read More:
KION: Police Staying Tight-Lipped on Heather Carroll Murder
KSBW: Heather Carroll Slaying Suspect Friends with Victim’s Husband
