Aliso Viejo Death of Brigitte Shaw Investigated as Murder-Suicide

Aliso Viejo Death of Brigitte Shaw Investigated as Murder-Suicide

Posted by CotoBlogzz

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA  - On Monday, July 7, 2014, Orange County Sheriff’s investigators were notified by San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department investigators following discovery of Brigitte Julie Shaw, 49, Aliso Viejo, deceased inside her residence.

Shaw was discovered during execution of a search warrant at 23411 Summerfield, Aliso Viejo (St. Moritz Apartments).  Orange County Sheriff’s homicide investigators with San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department investigators determined there may be a connection between Shaw’s death and a death investigation in their jurisdiction.

On Sunday, July 6, 2014, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s investigators initiated a death investigation in an unincorporated area near Hesperia.  Philip Alexander Smyth, 50, Aliso Viejo, was discovered deceased as a result of self-inflicted stab wounds.  Smyth’s death has been determined by the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner to have been a suicide.

On Monday, July 7, 2014, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Investigators identified the residence at the St. Moritz Apartments as possibly being related to Smyth.  Investigators executed a search warrant at the Summerfield address and discovered Shaw deceased inside the residence.  It is believed Shaw had been deceased for several days; the manner and cause of death is pending toxicology results.

Based on the preliminary investigation and information collected at both scenes, it appears Smyth and Shaw had a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship and resided at the Summerfield address.  Evidence gathered from Orange and San Bernardino County has given investigators reason to believe the deaths are a result of murder-suicide with Smyth being the suspect.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Unit at (714) 647-7055.  Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.o