Man Arrested in Slaying of Wife

A man was arrested while in church Saturday in connection with the shooting death of his wife in the couple’s home more than a week ago, authorities said.

Jeffrey Dale Pietz, 38, was arrested on suspicion of murder at a church on 20th Street East and Avenue R in Palmdale at 4 p.m. Saturday, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Ron Spear.

TeriLynn Pietz, 38, was found shot to death Aug. 12 in the home she and her husband shared in the 37700 block of Cottonwood Street. At the time, Pietz told investigators that an acquaintance had entered his living room, shot his wife and fled.

But neighbors of the couple told detectives they had not seen the suspect, and authorities said Saturday that the man Pietz identified as the murderer could not have been responsible.

“Apparently he told (detectives) he knew who the intruder was, but when they investigated, they found that the man was out of the state at the time of the shooting, “ Spear said.

Authorities declined to elaborate on the relationship between Pietz and the man he claimed was the killer.

A search of Pietz’s home was conducted after his arrest, but sheriff’s deputies would not say whether any evidence was found. The motive for the killing is still unknown, Spear said.

Pietz was booked at the Antelope Valley Sheriff’s Station and was being held without bail.