National City, CA — A California man is facing homicide charges after allegedly killing 71-year-old Wanda Taylor inside her National City home last week. The shocking discovery was made by Wanda’s husband, who returned home to find her stabbed and lifeless, and the suspect pacing and mumbling inside the residence.
The National City Police Department said officers were called to the home on Wednesday, August 20, in response to an assault report. Upon arrival, they found Wanda with “traumatic injuries.” She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Suspect Caught Inside the Home
Police later identified the suspect as Noel Trevino, who was reportedly still in the home when Ernest Taylor, Wanda’s husband of 35 years, returned from a painting job. Ernest told NBC 7 that he walked into a disturbing scene — Wanda was lying on the floor under a blanket, surrounded by blood. Trevino was pacing and incoherent, allegedly mumbling “crazy words.”
“I saw my wife lying down underneath a blanket… he was pacing up and down,” Ernest recounted. “The whole upstairs was in disarray. He even took portraits of my wife and grandkids off the wall and put them in the recycle bin.”
Trevino Arrested and Faces Homicide Charge
When officers arrived, Trevino allegedly tried to flee the scene on foot. He was captured shortly after and taken into custody. Police say he attempted to escape again while in custody, but was once again stopped.
Trevino has been charged with one count of homicide and is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday, August 25, after a previously scheduled court appearance was postponed due to health concerns, according to ABC 10.
Remembering Wanda Taylor
Wanda was deeply involved in her community, working with the San Diego Unified School District, where she supported special education programs and helped young teen mothers. Her loss has sent waves of grief through family, friends, and colleagues on both coasts.
“She’s loved from the East Coast to the West Coast,” Ernest told reporters. “We were together 90 percent of the time. We were theatre buffs — it was wonderful.”
He appeared in court on Friday alongside a group of Wanda’s loved ones, showing strength and unity as the case moves forward.
