UPDATE:
A postmortem examination was performed and the Kern County coroner says Lidia Robertson's cause of death is "blunt injuries of head" and the manner of death is homicide.
ORIGINAL STORY:
The Kern County Sheriff's Office announced on Friday they have made an arrest in the murder of 57-year-old Lidia Robertson, of Oildale.
Robertson's husband, 46-year-old Nathaniel Robertson, "was identified as a suspect in the case and an arrest warrant was issued for his arrest; charging him with murder."
On Friday at about 9 a.m., "Robertson was located near Riverview Park in Oildale. He was taken into custody by deputies without incident."
Judith Reese and her daughter Patricia Reese, neighbors and friends of Lidia Robertson, says they were relieved to hear an arrest had been made in the case.
The arrest took place just near their home.
On Thursday, authorities received a call of a possible deceased person in the 300 block of Sycamore Drive near Riverview Park at around 9:21 a.m.
Responding deputies found the body of Lidia Robertson. The Reese’s were in their home when they believe Lidia Robertson was killed.
Judith Reese says she and Lidia Robertson would talk to each other through the fence every morning over coffee and prayer.
“I did not know too much about her personal life, but I knew who she was,” said Judith Reese. “She was a good faithful person.”
Patricia Reese says that she can’t stop thinking about the night she ran into the Robertson’s home, only to discover their friend was dead.
“To walk in there and see her like that its devastating and hard not to think about that,” said Patricia Reese.
KCSO says they do not have a motive currently. Also, they are awaiting the autopsy report from the coroner's office for cause of death.
“Mr. Robertson has been booked for murder,” said Sgt. David Hubbard, for KCSO. “We will continue to collect whatever evidence we can and contact witnesses and further develop a prosecutable case.”
KCSO says that Lidia Robertson suffered major blunt force trauma.
“[Nathaniel Robertson] He was carrying a very heavy stone and you can tell he was carrying something heavy,” Patricia Reese said. “He then goes inside, then goes back and forth a couple of times.”
The Reese's say hours before the alleged crime, Nathaniel Robertson, introduced himself to their family and that they noticed strange behavior at the home.
“He just talked to himself all the time and he was just angry seem like,” Judith Reese said. “It’s like a demon took over.”
The family is now offering prayers to their neighbor, who they say they’ll miss.
KCSO says that Nathaniel will be arraigned sometime next week and is encouraging anyone with additional information to come forward and call the Sheriff's department at (661)861-3110.
