San Diego

A man and his estranged wife were stabbed to death, and a second man was hospitalized with multiple stab wounds Wednesday, according to police, who found the three in the woman’s East San Diego apartment.

The coroner’s office identified the dead as Cheryl Marie Mack, 30, and Anthony Quinn Bennett, 28. Ray Anthony Davis, 28, remained in serious condition at Mercy Hospital after the incident Tuesday, a hospital spokesman said.

A neighbor called police about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday after hearing cries for help from the apartment in the 3700 block of 41st Street, Lt. Dan Berglund said.

Officers found Davis, nude and unconscious, lying on top of Bennett’s fully clothed body in the living room, Berglund said. In Bennett’s hand was the hunting knife used in the stabbings, the detective said.

Mack’s body was found in the master bedroom, and she had been stabbed at least three times in the upper torso, according to Berglund. Mack was taken by paramedics to UC San Diego Medical Center, where she died. Bennett and Davis were taken to Mercy Hospital, where Bennett died and Davis remains hospitalized.

Police said Davis, identified as Mack’s boyfriend, told them that he and Mack were in the bedroom when they were confronted by a knife-wielding Bennett, Mack’s estranged husband, according to Berglund.

Bennett allegedly stabbed Davis and then Mack before Davis was able to struggle with Bennett for the knife, the lieutenant said.

In the fight that ensued, the wounded Davis briefly gained possession of the knife and stabbed Bennett, who then wrested the knife back and stabbed Davis again, Berglund said.