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Lompoc woman pleads guilty to murdering neighbor

Melissa Martin.PNG
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A Lompoc woman is scheduled to be sentenced later this year after admitting to killing her 74-year-old neighbor.

Melissa Martin, 37, entered the guilty plea Tuesday to second-degree murder in the death of Eldri Terese Jauch, according to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office.

Jauch’s body was found in Martin’s apartment in June of 2019, a few days after the victim’s sister reported her missing.

Martin was arrested outside a home in Santa Ynez shortly after.

Detectives say Jauch died from blunt force trauma. It’s alleged a baseball bat was used in the killing.

Martin is scheduled to be sentenced to 15-years-to-life behind bars on Aug. 31, according to the DA’s Office.