Wide Search Is On for Suspect in 2 Slayings

Police on Friday continued their nationwide manhunt for Douglas Frederick Stanley, 57, a Westminster man suspected of shooting his sister-in-law and a co-worker to death at a small embroidery business.

Police said Stanley, who is reported to have an obsession with guns, opened fire with a handgun Thursday inside Design-It, a custom embroidery business on Slater Avenue, killing his sister-in-law, Joyce Stanley, 52, and employee Terry Vasquez, 41.

The victims, who police said had both been shot several times in the upper torso, were found Thursday morning by Charles Stanley, who is the suspect’s brother and Joyce Stanley’s husband.

The Orange County district attorney’s office was expected to issue an arrest warrant for Douglas Stanley on two charges of murder, charges of taking a vehicle, using a weapon, and a special-circumstance allegation that could result in the death penalty if he is convicted, Deputy Dist. Atty. Lewis Rosenblum said.

Stanley is believed to be armed and dangerous and authorities suspect he may be on his way to Wyoming, where he once lived, or to Mexico, where he traveled frequently. He is thought to be driving Joyce Stanley’s 1992 silver Buick Le Sabre.

“We are still looking for him,” said Fountain Valley Sgt. Darryl Nance. “We’re looking anywhere and everywhere where we think he may have gone or may be hiding.”

Family members said they thought he might return to southwestern Wyoming because the former ranch worker is familiar with the area and worked and lived near the small towns of Lyman and McKinnon, Uinta County Sheriff Forrest Bright said.

Bright said Friday that Stanley had run into trouble with law enforcement officials there in the past. He said the suspect allegedly pointed a shotgun at a pair of security guards who were patrolling a festival in Uinta County in September, 1989.

Since moving to Orange County, Stanley had reportedly threatened many times to harm family members and had an obsession with guns, police said.

He had lived with Charles and Joyce Stanley in their Westminster home since having heart surgery more than a year ago and had done odd jobs at the embroidery business.

“Since he had open heart surgery, he could be seeking medical attention somewhere, so we would like hospitals and pharmacies to be on the lookout,” Nance said.

Stanley is described by police as 5 feet 11 inches and weighing 165 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Joyce Stanley’s 1992 car has California license plate number 2ZTR347.