Man Dies of Stab Wound; Wife Held

A loud, heated argument early Tuesday between a local couple with a history of domestic violence ended with the husband dead from a stab wound and the wife in custody on suspicion of murder, authorities said.

Wayne Lueke, 55, died at 2:30 a.m. at St. John’s Regional Medical Center after being found outside the couple’s motor home in the Peninsula Yacht Anchorage Marina parking lot at 1:40 a.m. with a single stab wound to the abdomen, Oxnard police officials said.

“I just can’t believe it. I never thought this would happen in a million years. It shocked everyone,” said neighbor Tania Gillick, 35. “They’ve had their [disagreements], but so does everyone.”

Lueke’s wife, Charlotte Lueke, 47, was at the scene when police officers responded after receiving a call about the argument, authorities said.

She was arrested Tuesday afternoon after detectives said they had several leads pointing to her, said Oxnard Police Sgt. Jim Seitz. He would not elaborate.

Charlotte Lueke remained in Ventura County Jail on Tuesday night on $500,000 bail. According to court records, she has no criminal history other than a petty theft infraction for stealing some items from Kmart and failing to yield at a red light.

Authorities declined to describe the weapon, but said it was recovered at the scene. Seitz said Lueke had refused to talk with detectives about the argument, and coroner’s officials said they would conduct toxicology tests on Wayne Lueke to see if drugs or alcohol were being used at the time.

According to police and witnesses, the Luekes were living in their motor home, which was parked in a large lot in the 3700 block of Peninsula Road at the marina. Several motor homes owned by boat owners are often parked in the lot, police said.

The couple moved to the area about a year ago and lived on their boat until it sank shortly after they arrived, according to several boat owners. The couple then moved permanently into their motor home.

At the time of the killing, about five motor homes were parked in the lot. Residents said a man whose RV was parked next to the Luekes heard the argument. The Luekes’ motor home was impounded for evidence, police said.

The Luekes apparently have no family living in the area, but coroner’s officials said Wayne Lueke has adult children from a previous marriage who live outside the county. Wayne Lueke worked as a service technician for an RV business in Ventura, authorities said.

According to residents from other motor homes at the lot, Wayne Lueke was very social and often talked with neighbors. Residents said he was out walking his dog “Chubs” on Monday night and spoke and laughed with some acquaintances before returning home.

Charlotte Lueke was described by other residents as quiet and private. She was rarely seen leaving the motor home, they said.

According to records from Ventura County Superior Court, the Luekes had a history of trouble.

Wayne Lueke was jailed on $50,000 bail after being arrested in Oxnard June 14, 1996, on suspicion of beating his wife, falsely imprisoning her and resisting arrest.

During the first few weeks of the case, Lueke was barred from contacting his wife unless it was for professional counseling or to meet her for hearings concerning Social Security benefits. Charlotte Lueke did not work outside the home, according to records.

Wayne Lueke eventually pleaded guilty to two felonies, the spousal abuse and resisting arrest and was sentenced to three years’ probation, a year of domestic violence counseling, and $300 restitution to local domestic violence shelters. He also was ordered not to drink alcohol, records show.

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Wolcott is a Times Community News reporter and Dirmann is a Times staff writer.