Suspect in Highway Slaying of Spouse Turns Himself In

A Palmdale man suspected in the stabbing death of his estranged wife in Angeles National Forest turned himself in to authorities Saturday in Laughlin, Nev., officials said.

Richard James Poynton, 48, of Palmdale, was questioned Saturday afternoon by Los Angeles County sheriff’s detectives, who traveled to Laughlin, said Deputy Angie Prewett.

Poynton surrendered to security guards at the Riverside Hotel and Casino in Laughlin, saying he had killed his wife somewhere in Palmdale, officials said.

Poynton approached hotel security officers shortly after 6:45 a.m., said Kenneth Fox, a security supervisor.

Deputies were searching for Poynton after the Friday slaying of his estranged wife, Marie Peirre Poynton, 44, of Palmdale, Prewett said.

The Poyntons were separated and in the process of a divorce, police said. Richard Poynton had been served with a restraining order in December.

Authorities found her body on a dirt shoulder off a remote section of Angeles Forest Highway on Friday afternoon. Witnesses said a man screamed obscenities at Marie Poynton before stabbing her with a knife several times.

Poynton was booked at the Tucker Holding Facility in Laughlin, police said, and must face an extradition hearing in Nevada before sheriff’s deputies can bring him to California to face murder charges.