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Cliff Jumper Arrested On Suspicion Of Murdering His Wife

TORRANCE (AP) —  A Southern California chef who jumped off a cliff while being chased by detectives investigating his wife's disappearance has been arrested on suspicion of killing her.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lt. Dave Coleman said 47-year-old David Viens was arrested Monday at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where he has been recovering from the 80-foot fall.

Coleman told the Daily Breeze of Torrance that detectives have not interviewed Viens, who recently had a breathing tube removed from his throat.

Viens is suspected of killing Dawn Viens, who has not been seen since October 2009.

Viens told friends his wife left after refusing to go into drug rehabilitation. Authorities, however, say they found blood spatter on walls in their Lomita home.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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