Sand City woman dies after stabbing, suspect charged with murder

Sand City police said a woman stabbed in her home on Orange Avenue early Monday morning has died.

Police Chief Michael Klein said Helen Morrow, 79, was taken off life support after she was sent to the hospital for her injuries.

Klein said Santa Cruz resident Scott Thomas White, 28, was initially arrested for attempted homicide but has now been charged with homicide.

During the investigation into the stabbing, Klein said detectives believe White may have been on drugs during the attack. He said Morrow has two caretakers who also did drugs and are friends with White.

Klein said one of Morrow’s daughters is working to get conservatorship of Morrow’s estate, a process she began before her mother’s death. He said Monterey County Adult Protective services performed at least two evaluations at Morrow’s home.