Inset: Sarah Riste (Wesminster (Colo.) Police Dept.). Background: The neighborhood where Sarah Riste allegedly killed her mother (Google Maps).
A woman in Colorado is in police custody after allegedly stabbing her mother to death and leaving her body concealed with blankets at the end of a hallway inside a residence — apparently while a small child was present.
Sarah Riste, 37, was taken into custody on Sunday, Sept. 28, in connection with the fatal stabbing of her mother, Westminster police announced on Facebook. The Denver Post, referencing an arrest affidavit, identified the victim as 64-year-old Kathy Johnson.
As reported by authorities, officers responded around 2 p.m. to a call about an unspecified “disturbance.” The Denver Post indicated that Riste informed the officers she was the one who had made the call.
When officers arrived at the scene, they spoke with Riste and “a child who [was] also at the residence.” The age of the child was not disclosed. According to The Denver Post, Riste and the child were found seated on the steps outside the residence upon police arrival. The suspect’s clothing was reportedly bloodstained, and she had blood on her hands.
“After further investigation, detectives determined Riste was the suspect,” the statement said. She was then taken into custody.
As noted by The Denver Post, Riste disclosed few details to the police, mentioning only that an accident had occurred inside and granting them permission to enter the premises. Once inside, officers reportedly observed a significant amount of blood on the walls, with the victim’s body allegedly beneath several blankets at the end of a hallway.
Johnson’s body exhibited “visible signs of trauma,” according to officials. Law enforcement reported that the victim was already deceased when officers arrived at the scene.
The arrest affidavit noted that Riste told investigators that she had been subjected to years of emotional abuse and that she had grabbed a knife from the kitchen during a fight with her mother.
Riste had been seen yelling at the child outside and telling them not to speak, The Denver Post reported. The child is believed to be hers.
According to investigators, the child said “something to the effect of: mom stabbed grandma, mom is going to jail, grandma is dead and now I don’t have anyone,” The Denver Post reported, citing the affidavit.
“The child was safely turned over to Child Protective Services,” police noted.
Court records show that Riste is scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday.
