Community Corner

Man Who Killed Wife in Sheriff's Parking Lot Pleads Guilty

Rocio Duncan worked with special needs students at Mar Vista High School before she was killed by her husband in the sheriff's substation parking lot.

A San Diego man who fatally stabbed his estranged wife in the Imperial Beach sheriff's substation parking lot in February pleaded guilty Wednesday to first-degree murder.

Marvin Dennis Duncan, 60, is due to be sentenced on July 26. He faces a stipulated 25 years to life in prison.

Shortly after 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 6, Duncan pressed an intercom button at a side door at the substation between the IB Fire Department and City Hall on Imperial Beach Boulevard, said sheriff's homicide Lt. Glenn Giannantonio.

When a deputy answered, Duncan, who was holding two toddlers, announced he had just killed his spouse, according to the lieutenant.

The mortally wounded victim -- Duncan's 36-year-old wife, Rocio -- was found lying on the ground on the west side of the substation. She died a short time later.

Duncan was detained for questioning and later arrested. The children, who were unharmed, were taken into protective custody. The motive was under investigation.

Rocio worked with special needs students at Mar Vista High School. Teachers collected donations to benefit her family and two children after the killing.

City News Service contributed to this article.


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