Woman, 18, Dies After Stabbing Attack; 17-Year-Old Girl Arrested

An 18-year-old woman was fatally stabbed in her quiet Santa Ana cul-de-sac late Wednesday night, apparently attacked after quarreling with a teenage friend, authorities said.

Police found Lora Le Estrella, 18, wounded and bleeding just down the street from her home on West Maurie Lane.

Estrella’s 17-year-old friend was arrested in the slaying, said Santa Ana Police Sgt. Raul Luna. Because the girl is a juvenile, her name was not released.

Both police and the victim’s friends said they were mystified about the attack, saying they had no idea what prompted the dispute and stabbing.

Estrella had an earlier falling out with the suspect, who made numerous attempts to resume the friendship, said Silvia Zermeno, the mother of Estrella’s fiance. Estrella had been living with Zermeno and caring for her children, as well as attending school for the past year.

“[Estrella] was a nice girl, a friendly girl, a happy girl,” said Zermeno, breaking into tears. “I don’t understand why this happened.”

The suspect made several phone calls to Estrella on Wednesday night--the last one at 10:48 p.m., according to Zermeno. At 11:30 p.m., police received a 911 call reporting that the two were fighting in the street.

“There was a lot of yelling and I heard dogs barking and I looked out the window and I saw [Estrella] lying there,” said neighbor Mitzi Matsuura, 70. “Then I saw her stand up and walk around in circles and then sit down on the curb. I thought it was a family quarrel so I didn’t get involved.”

Police found Estrella in very critical condition with multiple stab wounds to her upper torso. She was taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange, where she died at 6 a.m., Luna said.

Zermeno said Estrella was not involved with any gangs. Zermeno added that she had never met the suspect.

Police found the suspect after receiving a report from Garden Grove Community Hospital that doctors were treating a female juvenile with a head wound, possibly caused by being thrown from a moving car.

Luna said investigators began getting conflicting stories from the girl and eventually determined that she had been involved in the fight that led to Estrella’s death.

“It appears that [the wound] was part of a fight. Maybe she hit her head on the asphalt,” said Luna. “We don’t know if the suspect was provoked or attacked, but she doesn’t have any other wounds so serious that she needed hospitalization.”

Police are continuing the investigation. The suspect is being held at Orange County Juvenile Hall.

Times correspondent Ana Cholo-Tipton contributed to this report.