Woman's Death In Bel Air Home Investigated As Homicide

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The death of a 56-year-old woman in her home in Bel Air is being investigated as a homicide, according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office.

Police say they responded to the scene on Jeanett Way at around 6:30 a.m. Thursday, because of a man threatening suicide, but when officers arrived they found Donna Zaragoza dead, apparently from blunt force trauma.

"I saw about 20 cop cars and there was a lot of detective, they were all parked out front," neighbor Britnee Danson said.

Later, investigators said she was hit with a hammer.

A 16-year-old boy was also found in an upper floor bedroom of the home with self-inflicted wounds. He is now being cared for at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.

"Went to the next bedroom, where they were confronted with an individual who was behind a door, it was a 16-year-old male, who they convinced to come out with no further incident," said Major William Davis of the Harford County Sheriff's Office.

Police have not said whether the boy, whose relationship to Zaragoza has not been revealed, is a suspect.

They have said that an initial investigation indicates there is no threat to the surrounding community.

The house has a history of drug abuse, mental illness and domestic disturbance, police say. There was an overdose death at the home in 2016, but no connection has been made between that and Thursday's events.

"They don't come out of the house, and if they do, they're usually screaming at each other," Danson said.

The victim's name will not be released until family has been notified.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Detective Christopher Sergent at 410-836-5428.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may submit a tip online or call Harford Crime Solvers at 1-888-540-8477.

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