Woman arrested in connection with triple homicide in Leimert Park

Investigators work at the scene after the bodies of three people were found in a home in the 3900 block of South Bronson Avenue in Leimert Park.

May 24, 2018 11:05 AM PT

A woman has been arrested in connection with the deaths of a couple and their adult son whose bodies were found stacked on top of one another in a house in Leimert Park.

Nancy Jackson, 55, was arrested by LAPD South Bureau homicide detectives on Wednesday, hours after she was named a “material witness” in the deaths, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department inmate records.

For the record:

8:55 a.m. June 22, 2018This article gives an incorrect age for Orsie Carter. She was 79, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.

Jackson was booked Thursday morning on suspicion of murder, said LAPD Officer Bill Bustos. She was being held without bail.

Authorities on Wednesday hesitated to call Jackson a suspect or person of interest and said they were concerned for her safety.

“You just never know; these things are not always the way they seem,” said Los Angeles Police Capt. Peter Whittingham.

There was no evidence to point to a home invasion or robbery, he said. Car keys were found inside the home. Wallets and valuables were in open view.

The bodies of Phillip White, 65; his mother, Orsie Carter, 82; and his stepfather, William Carter, 83, were found Tuesday night in the bathroom of White’s beige, Spanish-style home in the 3900 block of South Bronson Avenue, where White had lived for four decades.

All of the bodies showed signs of blunt-force trauma, authorities said. At least two had sustained gunshot wounds.

Family members said White had multiple sclerosis and that the Carters, who lived in nearby Baldwin Hills, would often stop by to check on him.

Friends and family said Jackson was White’s longtime friend who re-emerged in his life six weeks ago. White, known by many as quiet and kindhearted, allowed Jackson to move in temporarily, childhood friend Ralph Tilley said. She had said she planned to move to Las Vegas, but she then refused to leave.

White’s mother called Tilley on Saturday to ask about the woman. Two days later, White told Tilley that he had the situation handled and that Jackson had agreed to move out.

hailey.branson@latimes.com

Twitter: @haileybranson

UPDATES:

11:05 a.m.: This article was updated with ages for the victims as provided by the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.

10:05 a.m.: This article was updated with Jackson being booked on suspicion of murder.

This article was originally published at 6:35 a.m.

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Hailey Branson-Potts

Hailey Branson-Potts is an enterprise reporter on the State Team who joined the Los Angeles Times in 2011. She reports on a wide range of issues and people, with a special focus on Northern California and the Central Coast. She grew up in the small town of Perry, Okla., and graduated from the University of Oklahoma.

Angel Jennings

As assistant managing editor for culture and talent, Angel Jennings oversees the Los Angeles Times’ Metpro and internship programs as well as works closely with HR and department heads to help manage a broad range of responsibilities, including tracking, recruiting, interviewing and selecting diverse candidates for job opportunities and advancing the company’s efforts to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and access. She also works across the newsroom on retention, training and career development efforts. Jennings previously worked as a reporter in Metro. She got her start in the Metpro program in 2011 and has since worked on assignments with many departments in the newsroom, including Metro, National, Calendar, Business and podcasts. She is a graduate of the University of Nebraska.

Woman arrested in connection with triple homicide in Leimert Park

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