Watch CBS News

Fullerton Police Arrest 3 In Triple Homicide Including 17-Year-Old Female

FULLERTON (CBSLA.com/AP) — Police investigating a triple homicide -- a married couple and a male friend -- inside a Fullerton home have announced the arrest of two young men and a 17-year-old female who may be connected to the victims.

The probe began Saturday morning after a child -- a 6-year-old girl  -- called 911 to report her parents had "died."

The child placed the call about 8:20 a.m., and officers were dispatched to the home.

Two children -- a 9-year-old girl  and her younger  sister -- were found unharmed, police said.

The victims have preliminarily been identified as Christopher Yost, 34, Jennifer Goodwill Yost  39, and Arthur William Boucher, 28, described as a friend of the family.

"Anytime someone loses their life it's a tragedy," police Sgt. Jon Radus said. "It's even more of a tragedy when children are involved."

Detectives spent the day searching for the children's sibling, identified as 17-year-old Katlynn Goodwill Yost, On Sunday, police said Yost was found safe and unharmed.

At a news conference Sunday, Police announced they have arrested two men -- 21-year-old Josh Acosta, of Fort Irwin, and 25-year-old Frank Felix, of Sun Valley, as suspects in the triple homicide.

Josh Acosta Fullerton Triple Homicide
(credit: Fullerton Police Department)

Police said a 17-year-old juvenile has also been arrested for the murders. State law prevents police from releasing the names of juveniles who have been arrested for crimes. The juvenile is being held at Orange County Juvenile Hall.

Authorities would not say if Yost was that juvenile or involved in the slayings of her biological mother and her husband.

There were obvious signs of trauma to the bodies, but Radus would not release any details on how the adults might have died. Authorities were still working to determine their cause of death.

A neighbor told the Orange County Register a couple lived in the house with three children, one a teenager and the others between 7 and 9 years old.

"It's sad for the children. They're now without parents," Donna Trice told the newspaper. "The two little girls found the bodies, and that tears me up."

Frank Felix Triple Homicide Fullerton
(credit: Fullerton Police Department)

The home sits on a block of single-family residences in a largely middle-class community.

Reporting from Fullerton Police Headquarters on Sunday, Louisa Hodge reported police were still trying to come up with a motive for the slayings.

The 9 and 6 year old have been taken into protective custody.

Anyone with further information regarding these crimes is urged to contact Detective Coffman at (714) 738-5361 and/or Sgt. Rowe at (714) 738-6776 with the Fullerton Police Department Crimes Persons Unit.

(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.