David Leroy Lucero, 25, of Valley Center
remains in custody in Arizona this week while San Diego authorities
work on extradition proceedings to bring him here in connection
with the murder of his mother, 53-year-old mother, Margo Lucero.
According to Sheriff’s Lt. Dennis Brugos, Lucero could
either fight extradition, which could extend his stay in Arizona
for another couple of weeks, or he could waive it and be brought
back relatively quickly.
The body of Mrs. Lucero was discovered by her husband and
daughter on Tuesday afternoon at their home on Costalota Road.
The crime scene was described as being “very bloody.”
Lucero was arrested in Pima County, Arizona about 12 hours
after the murder on unrelated charges.
The murder victim’s car, a Mercedes Benz, was later
found in Arizona. Upon Lucero’s arrest he refused to
identify himself, however, he was later identified from a
bulletin that had been sent out to law enforcement officials
by the San Diego Sheriff’s Dept.
San Diego detectives later questioned Lucero in Tucson. Authorities
say Lucero is considered a suspect in his mother’s death.
Reportedly Sheriff’s deputies were called the day before
to ask that Lucero be taken away from his parents’ house
because he was mentally unstable. However deputies were unable
to arrest him because Lucero didn’t pose an immediate
threat, according to Brugos.
The murder victim was an employee of Valley View Casino.
