Teen Fatally Stabbed, Then Suspect Mysteriously Dies

A 15-year-old girl was stabbed to death, and a 17-year-old suspect lost consciousness as she was questioned by detectives and died a few hours later, police said Monday.

The bizarre incident began at a party Saturday night in West Los Angeles. Deanna Maran, an athlete and an honor student at Santa Monica High School, began arguing with another girl.

“This led to a fight, but it was broken up by friends,” LAPD spokesman Jason Lee said. “Shortly after that, a second fight broke out. She was then stabbed by a female.”

Maran, a 10th-grader, died later at Santa Monica Hospital.

On Sunday, detectives took two girls, 15 and 17, into custody, Lee said. Both were considered suspects. Lee did not reveal their names nor say who was suspected of the stabbing.

During questioning at the West Los Angeles Division station, the 17-year-old suddenly lost consciousness, Lee said. A Fire Department ambulance took her to UCLA Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead about 3 1/2 hours later.

The detectives have no idea what happened to the girl, Lee said. The coroner’s office will conduct an autopsy.

John Deasy, superintendent for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, said Maran was an outstanding student.

“She took a very rigorous course load of honors classes and was doing very well in school,” Deasy said. “Teachers loved to have her in class.

“She was very active in campus life. She was on the volleyball, water polo and track team. She was involved in our music program. It was a very sad day at school today. Her death was a huge loss.”