- Jamison Webster, 51, found deceased in son’s vehicle trunk
- Richard Leyva, 24, arrested on homicide and assault charges
- Incident followed altercation between brothers at El Cajon motel
- High-speed chase ended in multi-vehicle collision
- Case highlights rising family violence trends in Southern California
Authorities in El Cajon, California, are investigating a grim maternal homicide case after discovering 51-year-old Jamison Webster’s body in the trunk of a vehicle driven by her 24-year-old son. The incident unfolded on Tuesday when police responded to a Motel 6 disturbance call, revealing a complex web of family conflict and criminal behavior.
According to law enforcement reports, the tragedy began when Webster’s older son visited the motel to check on his mother. Upon discovering her body in the trunk of her black Hyundai Sonata, a physical confrontation erupted between the brothers. Richard Leyva allegedly struck his sibling with the vehicle before initiating a police chase that reached dangerous speeds through residential areas.
Recent crime statistics reveal alarming patterns in family-related homicides. The CDC reports 34% of female homicide victims are killed by family members, with California accounting for 18% of such cases nationally. This incident follows a 22% increase in domestic violence-related arrests within San Diego County since 2021.
The pursuit ended dramatically when Leyva collided with two civilian vehicles near Montrose Court. Officers utilized non-lethal force to apprehend the suspect, deploying tasers when he resisted arrest. Police protocol experts note California’s strict pursuit guidelines, which mandate termination of chases when public safety risks outweigh apprehension needs.
This case bears similarities to a 2021 Los Angeles incident where a mentally ill man killed his mother and led police on a 90-minute chase. Both cases have sparked debates about crisis intervention training for officers. San Diego PD recently implemented a co-responder program pairing mental health professionals with patrol units, though it wasn’t activated during this incident.
Forensic analysts emphasize the importance of vehicle inspection protocols in homicide cases. The discovery of Webster’s body highlights improved trunk examination procedures adopted by California agencies after a 2019 Fresno case where a victim went undetected for 72 hours.
As Leyva remains held without bail at San Diego County Jail, legal experts predict prosecutors will pursue special circumstances enhancements given the familial relationship. California’s penal code mandates life imprisonment without parole for certain matricide convictions, though mental health evaluations could influence sentencing.