thedrifter
10-18-08, 08:28 AM
Marine, his wife found shot to death in Winchester
By TAMMY J. McCOY
The Press-Enterprise
A Marine and his wife were shot to death inside their Winchester home, investigators said Friday.
Jan Pawek Pietrzak, 24 and his wife, Quiana Faye Jenkins-Pietrzak, 26, were shot in the head inside their Bermuda Street home, said Lt. John Schultz of the Riverside County sheriff's Central Homicide Unit.
There were no signs that someone tried to break into the house and authorities believe the couple was probably targeted by someone they knew.
Investigators kept details about the slayings under wraps in light of the ongoing investigation.
No arrests have been made since the Pietrzaks' bodies were found Wednesday by deputies.
Schultz noted in a news release that investigators are following all possible leads and have collected pieces of evidence that will be submitted for fingerprint and DNA analysis.
Arson investigators came to the home after authorities discovered a small fire was set in an unsuccessful effort to burn evidence, Schultz said in the release.
Jan Pietrzak, a sergeant, was a helicopter airframe mechanic with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 164, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, based at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
The Brooklyn, N.Y., native joined the Marines in March 2003 and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from July 2005 to February 2006, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing's public affairs office said in a news release.
It appears that when Jan Pietrzak failed to show up Wednesday for work, his employer called his wife's place of employment.
When Jenkins-Pietrzak did not show up for work at the Riverside County Public Health's Black Infant Care Center in Perris by 8 a.m., her supervisors called police, said Public Health Deputy Director Sarah Mack.
Deputies arrived at the home, found the double doors open and discovered their bodies.
"We feel like we've lost a member of our own family," Mack said. "She was a valuable member of our staff and we will miss her."
Jenkins-Pietrzak was a health assistant who helped expectant African-American mothers give birth to healthier babies, Mack said. She worked there for more than a year and there was no sense that she was having marital problems.
Jenkins-Pietrzak was an enthusiastic employee with an interest in pursuing a career in medicine, Mack said.
Neighbors said the couple lived in a Temecula apartment before they moved into the Bermuda Street home about four months ago, after Jan Pietrzak returned from serving in Iraq.
Relatives could not be reached Friday.
Pietrzak accolades include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, U.S. Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Marines' public affairs office said.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact call Investigator Josh Button at Sheriff's Central Homicide, 760- 393-3500, or Investigator Jesse Martinez at the Southwest Station, 951- 696-3000.
Staff writers John Asbury, Julissa McKinnon and Mark Muckenfuss contributed to this report.
Ellie
By TAMMY J. McCOY
The Press-Enterprise
A Marine and his wife were shot to death inside their Winchester home, investigators said Friday.
Jan Pawek Pietrzak, 24 and his wife, Quiana Faye Jenkins-Pietrzak, 26, were shot in the head inside their Bermuda Street home, said Lt. John Schultz of the Riverside County sheriff's Central Homicide Unit.
There were no signs that someone tried to break into the house and authorities believe the couple was probably targeted by someone they knew.
Investigators kept details about the slayings under wraps in light of the ongoing investigation.
No arrests have been made since the Pietrzaks' bodies were found Wednesday by deputies.
Schultz noted in a news release that investigators are following all possible leads and have collected pieces of evidence that will be submitted for fingerprint and DNA analysis.
Arson investigators came to the home after authorities discovered a small fire was set in an unsuccessful effort to burn evidence, Schultz said in the release.
Jan Pietrzak, a sergeant, was a helicopter airframe mechanic with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 164, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, based at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
The Brooklyn, N.Y., native joined the Marines in March 2003 and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from July 2005 to February 2006, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing's public affairs office said in a news release.
It appears that when Jan Pietrzak failed to show up Wednesday for work, his employer called his wife's place of employment.
When Jenkins-Pietrzak did not show up for work at the Riverside County Public Health's Black Infant Care Center in Perris by 8 a.m., her supervisors called police, said Public Health Deputy Director Sarah Mack.
Deputies arrived at the home, found the double doors open and discovered their bodies.
"We feel like we've lost a member of our own family," Mack said. "She was a valuable member of our staff and we will miss her."
Jenkins-Pietrzak was a health assistant who helped expectant African-American mothers give birth to healthier babies, Mack said. She worked there for more than a year and there was no sense that she was having marital problems.
Jenkins-Pietrzak was an enthusiastic employee with an interest in pursuing a career in medicine, Mack said.
Neighbors said the couple lived in a Temecula apartment before they moved into the Bermuda Street home about four months ago, after Jan Pietrzak returned from serving in Iraq.
Relatives could not be reached Friday.
Pietrzak accolades include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, U.S. Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Marines' public affairs office said.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact call Investigator Josh Button at Sheriff's Central Homicide, 760- 393-3500, or Investigator Jesse Martinez at the Southwest Station, 951- 696-3000.
Staff writers John Asbury, Julissa McKinnon and Mark Muckenfuss contributed to this report.
Ellie