Homeless woman killed in North Sacramento. It’s the sixth homeless homicide of the year
A woman believed to be homeless was the victim of a homicide Tuesday in North Sacramento, according to a Sacramento Police Department news release. It’s the sixth homicide of a homeless person in Sacramento this year.
Police responded to the area of Northgate Boulevard and Garden Highway just before 5:30 p.m. regarding a report of a deceased person, the release said.
When officers arrived, they located a woman who sustained serious injuries that appeared to be from an assault, the release said.
Based on the preliminary investigation, police believe the victim was unhoused and living in the area, the release said. Homicide detectives are investigating.
The woman was identified Thursday as Jessica Tina Beasley, 47, according to the Coroner’s Office.
Tim Valentine said the Beasley was a nurse before she was homeless and lived alone in a field.
“She was very giving, very helpful to anyone and everyone,” Valentine, 55, said. “She was one of a kind. Special.”
Angela Carpenter, a friend, agreed.
“She was a wonderful person,” she said.
News of Beasley’s death spread fast at the tight-knit camp, but few people knew details about what happened.
Police detectives have been at the scene all day and night, Valentine said.
“They’re giving it serious attention,” he said.
The tragedy highlights the dangers of living outdoors, which people experience starting the moment they become homeless, Valentine said.
“The minute you step out of that locked door, it’s terrifying,” said Valentine, who’s been homeless for about a year. “We’ve been both terrorized and terrified ... it’s just constant.”
“Another death,” an unhoused woman on a bike remarked as she pedaled by, shaking her head.
Bill Jincks, 64, said he knew the victim for 20 years. The two used to go to Loaves and Fishes together, he said.
Last year, seven homeless people were the victims of homicide, and a total of 137 homeless people died from all causes in Sacramento County.
Police have not yet arrested a suspect. Police encourage any witnesses with information to call the dispatch center at (916) 808-5471 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-4357.
Here are the other homeless homicides in Sacramento County so far this year:
▪ In April, Kathy Lynn Robbins, 64, was found dead along the American River bike trail, with visible injuries possibly from an assault, police said.
▪ In June, Daniel “Flaco” Byrn, 31, was fatally shot in the parking lot of Tahoe Park, near 59th Street and 11th Avenue.
▪ In July, Michael Dorr, 63, was killed outdoors at Commerce Circle and Lathrop Avenue.
▪ In August, a 43-year-old man died from a gunshot wound along the Sacramento River bike trail, near 100 Capitol Ave. The coroner has not yet released his identity.
▪ In September, Richard Davidson, 61, died in Northgate Park in North Sacramento
Police arrested a suspect in the Davidson killing, but have not yet arrested suspects in the others, according to its press release website.
This story was originally published November 10, 2021 at 12:52 PM.
