Crime & Safety

Investigators Hold Checkpoint at Scene of Brutal French Valley Attack

A checkpoint was held at 7:30 a.m. at Brookridge Lane and Washington Street in Winchester, where 68-year-old Wanda McGlover was found traumatically injured Sept. 21. She died shortly thereafter.

As part of a continuing investigation into the brutal roadside attack of a French Valley woman, authorities held a checkpoint Friday.

The checkpoint was held at 7:30 a.m. at Brookridge Lane and Washington Street in Winchester, where 68-year-old Wanda McGlover was found traumatically injured Sept. 21. She died shortly thereafter at a local hospital.

Taking part in Friday's checkpoint were investigators from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department Central Homicide Unit and Southwest Station, officers from California Highway Patrol Temecula area and volunteers.

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"The purpose of the checkpoint was to contact motorists and pedestrians to identify possible witnesses and hand out fliers asking for the public's help in locating the person(s) responsible for the death of Wanda McGlover," said sheriff's Sgt. Lisa McConnell, in a news release.

It is believed that McGlover walked her usual route near the intersection the morning of the attack. One of McGlover's daughters told authorities she was on the cellphone with her when the alleged attacker or attackers approached.

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"The checkpoint enabled investigators to reach out to commuters who may travel through the area routinely," McConnell said.

In addition to this checkpoint, McConnell said investigators have conducted several extensive neighborhood canvasses and interviews of nearby homeowners.

McGlover's death was initially thought to be a hit-and-run, but the case is now being handled as a homicide investigation.

About 100 people turned out Sunday for a candlelight prayer vigil at a park near the scene of the attack.

McGlover's daughter, who does not wish to be indentified by the media, asked that people visit a website here to give any tips about the case and also to donate money, because the time might come when the family may have to launch its own investigation.

Donations would also help to gather funds for a possible reward for information leading to the killer, the daughter said.

"This was a brutal, brutal, brutal attack. Somebody knows something," she said.


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