Police: 71-year-old mother dies after son throws her out 2nd-floor window, stomps on head



LOS ANGELES – A woman died after her son allegedly threw her out of the second story window of their Los Angeles apartment following a verbal altercation early Monday, according to police.



Officers responded to the 7400 block of Hazeltine Avenue in Van Nuys around 2:50 a.m., Los Angeles Police Department Officer Norma Eisenman said.

Bystanders told police they saw the suspect – 41-year-old Fernando Vargas – jump out of the window and stomp on her head.

"It was horrible," said witness Nancy Ochoa. "He said that she was going to die anyway and it didn’t matter (if he stomped on her).”

They were both transported to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, where the mother later died.

The victim has been identified as 71-year-old Carlota Vargas, according to LAPD Mark O'Donnell.



The son is in LAPD custody, according to Eisenman.

“It’s pretty strange, it’s pretty heinous, especially when you’re talking about elderly victims, and compounded with the fact that it looks like the victim’s son is the suspect in this case," O'Donnell said outside the apartment building.

“I’m just so surprised. I would never think this would happen,” said family friend Erika Lehmann.

“She loved her son and her son loved her.”

Lehmann described Carlota Vargas as "outgoing" and honest. She said everyone loved her.

No additional details were immediately provided.