California Man with “420” Head Tattoo Arrested for Decapitating Relative and Fleeing with her Head
By Patrick Reilly
Published Nov. 4, 2023, 10:55 p.m. ET
A California man with a distinctive “420” head tattoo has been arrested in San Francisco after allegedly decapitating a female relative and fleeing the scene with her head, according to police.
The suspect, 24-year-old Luis Aroyo-Lopez, was apprehended at the Transbay Terminal around 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning after San Francisco Police officers recognized him from a description provided by Santa Rosa police, who were searching for a murder suspect.
The arrest followed a frantic search for Aroyo-Lopez after Santa Rosa Police discovered the decapitated body of a woman at a residence on Pomo Trail on Thursday. The victim’s head was missing, and authorities suspect that Aroyo-Lopez had taken it with him when he left the scene.
At the time of writing, it is unclear whether the victim’s head has been recovered by police since Aroyo-Lopez’s arrest. The woman, who remains unidentified, is said to be a relative of the suspect, although the nature of their relationship has not been disclosed.
Aroyo-Lopez had been recently released from state prison and was under Postrelease Community Supervision. He had previously been incarcerated for assault with a deadly weapon and weapons possession charges unrelated to the current case.
Police had issued a public appeal for information about Aroyo-Lopez, releasing a photo that showed his notable “420” head tattoo, along with a marijuana leaf on the left side of his head. This distinctive feature aided in his identification and ultimately led to his arrest.
Authorities have stated that more information about the arrest will be provided in due course.
The shocking and brutal nature of this crime has sent shockwaves throughout the community. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is ongoing as police work to gather evidence and determine a motive for the alleged decapitation.
Residents in the area are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement. The safety and well-being of the community are of utmost importance as authorities continue to work on this heinous case.