Suspects arrested in death of Quebec woman in California

SAN FRANCISCO – Police have arrested three suspects in the death of a Quebec woman last week in California and plan to charge them with murder later today.

The body of 23-year-old Audrey Carey, who was on a solo backpacking trip, was found in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park last Saturday.

The suspects were accused in Carey’s death after they were arrested in connection with the shooting death of Steve Carter, a yoga teacher whose body was found along a hiking trail Monday just north of San Francisco.

Police say Morrison Haze Lampley, 23, Sean Michael Angold, 24, and Lila Scott Alligood, 18, were arrested in Portland, Ore., after authorities allegedly tracked them travelling in his car.

Carey’s family this week described the young woman from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu as someone who was full of life and loved by all.

A family statement on Tuesday thanked those who expressed sympathy and support and asked the media to respect their wishes to mourn in privacy.

Carey was believed to have attended Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, a music festival that ended last weekend. Police identified her after finding documents on her as well as a cellphone that was located near the body.

San Francisco police said in a statement that investigators saw similarities in the two shootings, including that they both occurred in wooded or park areas.

Sgt. Michael Andraychak said possessions belonging to Carey were found on the suspects.

“The three suspects will be charged with the robbery and murder of Audrey Carey,” he said.

Her body was discovered Saturday morning, following the first day of the music festival. Paramedics declared her dead at the scene.

On Thursday, officials said they had recovered the gun believed to be the one used to kill Carter when they made the arrests in Oregon.

Marin County Sheriff’s Lt. Doug Pittman said the three suspects will be extradited to California.

Authorities have described the suspects as drifters and say none has a known permanent address.

The trio may be transferred to a Marin County jail sometime next week, Pittman said.

A hiker found Carter’s body at about 6 p.m. Monday. Carter was still holding the leash of his dog, which was also shot. Carter’s Doberman pinscher was turned over to the Marin County Humane Society and is expected to recover.

Carter drove to the trail, and his 2003 Volkswagen station wagon was gone when police showed up. Using GPS technology, Marin County sheriff’s investigators tracked the car to Portland, where the three were arrested without incident.

Pittman said investigators were also aided by surveillance footage from a gas station in Point Reyes that showed the suspects with the stolen car about a half-hour after the slaying.

“So many people are in possession of cameras in cars, homes, businesses,” he said. “Those types of systems became crucial to the pursuit and apprehension.”

Authorities have said it did not appear the suspects knew the victim. Pittman said it was unclear if Carter might have been targeted for his car or other belongings.

— With files from The Associated Press