Wife of Former S.F. Police Chief Is Found Dead
The wife of former San Francisco Police Chief Richard Hongisto was found dead Saturday after an argument in the couple’s home, and Hongisto blamed her death on the recurrence of a drug habit.
The body of Susan Chavez Hongisto, 34, was found in the garage at the home of a companion, who had called for an ambulance. The owner of the home, Martin Amador, told police that Susan Hongisto collapsed after smoking crack cocaine.
Hongisto said his wife had left their home after an argument. The couple had been married about a year and a half.
“I think she decided to teach me a lesson and stay out late,” Hongisto said Saturday. “In a fit of annoyance toward me, she went out and had a little relapse in terms of that habit.”
Hongisto, 57, a longtime fixture on the political scene, was fired as police chief in May, 1992. He has also served as sheriff and city assessor and for 10 years was a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
Amador was arrested for drug possession and being under the influence of crack, police said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
