What to know
- Carlsbad resident Lisa Thorborg was found dead on November 23, 2020, on a hiking trail that runs through Hosp Grove Park in Carlsbad.
- A 17-year-old suspect was arrested on December 14, 2020 for her murder
- In a December 22 hearing, testimony revealed that the teen’s DNA had been found on Thorborg’s shorts; Investigators said there was no evidence of theft or sexual assault in the murder
The DNA of a 17-year-old boy accused of killing a woman on a hiking trail in Carlsbad last month was found on the victim’s shorts, according to testimony heard in San Diego juvenile court on Tuesday.
The teen – whose name has not been released by police because he is a minor – is charged with the murder of Lisa Thorborg, 68.
Thorborg’s body was found on the Hosp Grove trail on the morning of November 23. Her death caused shock waves from Carlsbad.
For three weeks there were no answers as to who killed the grandmother.
On December 14, the teenage suspect was arrested on a beach in Carlsbad in connection with the murder of Thorborg. At his arraignment last week, he denied all charges.
Police arrested a 17-year-old resident of Carlsbad in connection with the deadly stabbing of a woman on a popular hiking trail. NBC 7’s Alexis Rivas has more.
Tuesday’s hearing brought to light some of the preliminary facts that led Carlsbad police to arrest the boy, who still faces the possibility of being charged as an adult.
If a judge rules that the teen is being tried as an adult, the suspect will be eligible for life without parole.
Based on the evidence heard Tuesday, Richard Monroy, judge at the Superior Court in San Diego, ruled that there was sufficient evidence to continue the case and that the boy, who last week pleaded not guilty to the charges , would remain in custody.
Details revealed at the hearing include that the boy’s DNA was found on Thorborg’s shorts and that nearby surveillance footage captured a boy similar to the suspect who ran away from the park for about 15 minutes. after police suspected Thorborg had been murdered.
CCTV footage and license plate reader data also showed that the boy’s grandmother dropped him off at the park about an hour before the attack.
After Thorborg’s death, police placed a camera in the park. Police alleged that after Nov. 23, the camera had captured multiple images of the suspect venturing along the path, often barefoot and wearing flip-flops.
Two pairs of flip-flops, including one believed to belong to the teenager, were found near the crime scene.
He was reported to have been contacted by the police in early December and ran away
officers, who took him into custody, after which his DNA was taken.
The boy was arrested again on December 14, this time in connection with the fatal stabbing of Thorborg.
Detectives did not reveal a suspected motive for the murder, but stated that the victim was not robbed or sexually assaulted.
No open suspects are sought in the case, according to
Carlsbad Police Lt. Jason Jackowski.
The teenager is due to appear in court again on January 25, 2021.
Police arrested a 17-year-old resident of Carlsbad in connection with the deadly stabbing of a woman on a popular hiking trail. NBC 7’s Alexis Rivas has more.
Killing Lisa Thorborg
Thorborg was a beloved grandmother who moved to Carlsbad with her family just six months ago.
On the morning of Nov. 23, Carlsbad Police Department detectives believe that Thorborg went for a walk alone on a path that runs through Hosp Grove Park – just a stone’s throw from her home.
Investigators said that in the days leading up to her murder, Thorborg posted some messages on social media asking if there was anyone nearby who wanted to take her for a walk.
“Hiking someone?” she posted on NextDoor, a social media site that connects neighbors. “I would love the company.”
Carlsbad police are still investigating those posts and whether they had anything to do with Thorborg’s murder.
The crime has put the residents of Carlsbad on edge for weeks.
Earlier this month, the police posted a message on social media requesting the parties involved not to try to take the investigation into their own hands. Investigators were concerned about the social media reports circulating within the community suggesting that citizens, frustrated with the lack of progress on the case, would search nearby homeless camps for suspects.
Following the suspect’s arrest on December 14, Thorborg’s family released a statement saying they were grateful for the “outpouring of support, love and generosity” of the Carlsbad community.
After news of the arrest, Thorborg’s family issued the following statement in part:
“Our family moved here with Lisa just 6 short months before her tragic death, and in a year dominated by COVID, there wasn’t much opportunity to meet our new neighbors and make friends. However, since the shocking news of Lisa’s death, there has been an endless stream of kindness and generosity that literally brings us to tears and warms our hearts. From the organization of the ‘Finish Lisa’s Walk’ event at Hosp Grove to the many meals, flowers and gifts we have received, we want you to know that we feel SO loved and supported by this incredible community. “
The family said they were confident that the police would help bring justice for Thorborg.
The weekend after Thorborg’s death, hundreds of people from the Carlsbad community and beyond organized “Finish Lisa’s Walk,” a symbolic walk on the same path where the victim was found dead a week earlier.
The community wanted to finish the walk that Thorborg could not take.
It’s been nearly three weeks since someone stabbed 68-year-old Lisa Thorborg to death on a hiking trail, reports NBC’s Alexis Rivas 7