TEXAS WOMAN FOUND DEAD ON BACKYARD PATIO WITH BABY NEARBY, EX-BOYFRIEND NOW ACCUSED OF HER MURDER

A San Marcos woman found dead on her backyard patio with a baby lying next to her, according to authorities. Now, her ex-boyfriend is the main suspect in her killing. 

The baby was taken to a hospital and was not seriously injured.

The San Marcos Police Department performed a welfare check at the home on March 12. Officers knocked on the door, but no one answered. They went to the back of the house and discovered the body of Cheryl Ritzer, 36, with a knife found in her back, according to KXAN.

After searching the house, police found blood on the wall near the back door and also on the kitchen floor. There was also a trash bag full of bloody rags found in the master bedroom.

After their investigation, officials identified Kiril St. John Sokoloff, 42, as the murder suspect, according to KXAN.

Court documents detailed how Ritzer’s dad originally asked for the welfare check. He also stated that Ritzer had recently broken up with Sokoloff, reported KXAN.

Ritzer’s father further explained Sokoloff moved out after the breakup, but was suffering from mental illness. The dad confirmed the baby at the scene next to Ritzer was Sokoloff’s biological child, but Sokoloff denies that the child is his, according to the report. 

Neighbors told police they did not hear additional voices or see cars that would indicate that Ritzer had company over the day she was killed. 

Sokoloff was found in a hotel and when interviewed, police discovered he has injuries the seemed to come from a fight and bloodstains on his clothes, according to KXAN. Sokoloff changed his story to police on how he got the injuries as he said he was involved in a fight with men at Ritzer’s home who were being disrespectful.

Officers said the fight with the men that the suspect described and the injuries he received wouldn’t have produced blood, per KXAN.

Sokoloff was arrested and remains in the Hays County Jail.