Suspect jailed in seemingly-random killing of Oceanside teacher

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - An Oceanside woman was behind bars today on suspicion of attacking a neighbor she had never met and fatally stabbing him as he returned home from walking his dog on the morning of his 45th birthday.

Jennifer Ramos, 22, allegedly killed Jefferson Middle School physical education instructor Chad Danielson in his front yard in the 500 block of Garfield Street shortly before 8 a.m. last Friday, Oceanside police spokesman Tom Bussey said.

Patrol officers arrived to find Danielson gravely wounded and the assailant -- described by witnesses as a large, long-haired man -- gone. Medics took the victim to Palomar Medical Center West in Escondido, where he was pronounced dead about an hour later.

On Thursday, examinations of crime-scene evidence linked Ramos to the slaying, Bussey said, adding that further investigation confirmed that she was "the sole suspect involved in this murder and (had been) unknown to Danielson.''

"Although a (woman), Ramos' appearance resembles that of the suspect description provided by witnesses,'' the spokesman said.

Ramos was arrested without incident at her home in the 1300 block of Division Street, several blocks from the victim's residence, he said.

Detectives have identified no clear motive for the killing, according to Bussey.

The victim is survived by his wife of 20 years, Joy; daughter, Elizabeth, 14; and son, Oliver, 12.

This afternoon, Danielson's family released a statement praising him as a "kind, gentle and beloved family man'' who was "tragically murdered on the morning of his birthday, with a table full of unopened birthday presents waiting for him to celebrate with his family.''

"It's a random and senseless act that shattered an extremely close-knit family, a large and loving extended family, and is a profound loss for all who knew and loved him -- including his students, parents, fellow teachers and the greater Oceanside community,'' they wrote.