Heiress a Reported Stabbing Victim

Slain Clifton’s Cafeteria heiress Jean Clinton Roeschlaub was stabbed, sources close to the murder investigation said Wednesday, but officials have not released a cause of death.

Glendale police spokesman John Balian said he could not confirm or deny that the victim, 83, was fatally stabbed.

“I don’t know who would be close enough to the investigation to let you know that at this point,” he said.

Roeschlaub’s body was found Aug. 2 in her 16th-floor Glendale penthouse. There were no signs of forced entry, family members said.

Her son David Davis, 58, of Lake Oswego, Ore., said police gave the family more information about the death, but he declined to share it to avoid jeopardizing the investigation.

“We don’t have much information,” he said.

The victim’s brother, Donald Clinton, 79, co-owner of the family’s landmark downtown Los Angeles cafeteria, said his wife had talked to Roeschlaub about noon Aug. 1. His sister was found dead the next day by Monterey Island Condominiums staff, who were checking on her at the request of her son Bruce C. Davis.

Family members said police told them that Roeschlaub was found face down in her nightclothes. Police also asked if she had any enemies, Clinton said, but he could not think of any.

Police said Roeschlaub’s assailant could not have entered her home unless let in by her or building officials.

The body was released to a mortuary Tuesday.