Lisa's body was found on November 23, 2020, stabbed to death on a nature trail at Hosp Grove Park.
28 days after 68-year-old Lisa Thorborg was found dead on a trail at Hosp Grove Park, Carlsbad, on November 23, 2020, a 17-year-old boy has been charged with the brutal stabbing. According to Kiro7, no additional suspects are believed to be involved in the case. The police have not identified the Carlsbad teen's name because of him being a juvenile.
Carlsbad police Lt. Jason Jackowski said in a statement, “We understand that the community has been on edge since that tragic day in November when Lisa was found on Hosp Grove Trail. Our unwavering mission has been to find the suspect for Lisa, her family, and the community of Carlsbad.”
#BREAKING @CarlsbadPolice confirms they have made an arrest in the stabbing death of Lisa Thorborg on a hiking trail in Carlsbad. Suspect was arrested this afternoon on a City of Carlsbad beach. #NBC7 https://t.co/VcYIHOONCk
— Bill Feather (@BFeatherSD) December 15, 2020
Lisa had been a resident of Carlsbad for about six months before she was found stabbed to death just blocks away from her home on Buena Vista Way, according to CBS 8. The former physical therapist had been posting messages online in search of a hiking partner. The last message she posted on Nextdoor on November 9 read, “Hiking anyone? I am looking for a friend to go hiking with. I am a moderate hiker, 68 years of age, and I would love some company."
Her body was later found by one of her neighbors on the park's trail. Gary Dwelley, who was also Lisa's neighbor, revealed, “They saw somebody who they thought was sleeping. They yelled at them. They didn't move and he went over and inspected the situation -- and he was with his daughter and his granddaughter -- and he realized what the situation was and they went and they called 911."
Lisa Thorborg had only lived in Carlsbad about six months, before she was found stabbed to death in Hosp Grove West, just blocks away from her home. The former physical therapist posted on Nextdoor earlier this month, searching for a hiking buddy.
— CBS News 8 (@CBS8) November 28, 2020
https://t.co/teWZHMml03
The police started searching for a white or Hispanic man between 5 feet, 10 inches, and 6 feet, 3 inches in height, with a husky build, a tan complexion, and dark hair, after a citizen tipped them. He was described to be wearing a black T-shirt and shorts, with possibly a black hat.
However, Lt. Jason told CBS 8, “The description that was put out did not match the suspect description." They said it was the investigative work by the detectives that led to the suspect. “It was mostly investigative techniques, and confirmed through forensics."
According to the officials, Lisa's murder was not connected to her Nextdoor post as suspicioned. “As far as we can determine, they were unknown to each other," said Lt. Jason. In a written statement, he said that “around the clock” work since Lisa's murder helped the "arrive at this conclusion.”
HAPPENING NOW: Police are investigating in Carlsbad after a woman's body was found on a footpath at a park, according to authorities. https://t.co/LUzbbtJBnn pic.twitter.com/lMNNuv1HWm
— FOX 5 San Diego (@fox5sandiego) November 23, 2020
“The department would like to thank the San Diego sheriff’s search and rescue teams that aided the department in the search for evidence in rugged terrain, and the community for coming together and sharing any information they had on the incident."
Following the death of the 68-year-old, more than 100 people that included neighbors and Carlsbad residents came together to lay flowers on the trail where she was brutally killed to “Finish Lisa’s Walk.” In a statement obtained by CBS 8, Lisa's family thanked the community and said, “We, the family of Lisa Thorborg, would like to share our immense gratitude for the outpouring of support, love, and generosity from this amazing Carlsbad community."
"Our family moved here with Lisa just six short months before her tragic death, and in a year dominated by COVID, there has not been much opportunity to meet our new neighbors and make friends," they continued. "Since the shocking news of Lisa’s death, however, there has been an endless outpouring of kindness and generosity that literally brings us to tears and warms our hearts. From the organization of the ‘Finish Lisa’s Walk’ event in Hosp Grove to the many meals, flowers, and gifts that we have received — we want you to know that we feel SO loved and supported by this incredible community.”
About 100 Carlsbad residents finishing “Lisa’s Walk” at Hosp Grove to honor/remember Lisa Thorborg, who was killed while hiking on Nov. 23. pic.twitter.com/9cJTgZmnp9
— Steve Puterski (@StevePuterski) November 28, 2020
Appreciating the work of the detectives and police officers who treated them “with genuine care and respect” throughout the process, they added, “This police department has our full confidence and we know they are doing everything in their power to bring justice for Lisa."
“From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank our community for helping us feel welcomed, supported, and protected. You all continuously remind us to rejoice in remembering that the love and light in this world far outweigh the darkness.”
It is not yet known if the accused teen would be tried as an adult.
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