Arroyo Grande woman killed at home ‘would do anything to help someone out,’ neighbor says
The 77-year-old woman killed Friday in her Arroyo Grande home was remembered Sunday as a kind person with a big heart.
Jeanine Vore’s body was discovered by San Luis Obispo County sheriff’s deputies during a welfare check on Friday night, and a Fresno man has been arrested in connection with her death.
On Sunday, neighbor Tom Merrin, who lives across the street, said he had known Jeanine Vore for more than 27 years.
“I’m so upset about this. You know when you find out about something so horrible it hits you in the gut? That’s how I feel right now,” Merrin said.
“She was the salt of the earth,” he added. “She cared for animals and cared for people. She just wanted to help people out.”
“She had a big heart. She was a sweetheart and a wonderful person,” Merrin said.
Woman found dead in Arroyo Grande, murder suspect arrested
About 5 p.m. Friday, sheriff’s deputies received reports of a possible trespassing incident on Chamisal Lane, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
During a welfare check on a residence near the reported trespass incident, deputies discovered Vore’s body, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Witnesses reportedly saw a suspect, later identified as Kayonie Eliaz Mendibles, 18, of Fresno fleeing the scene in a vehicle, said the Sheriff’s Office, which issued a “be on the lookout” bulletin.
Shortly before 10 p.m. Friday, sheriff’s deputies observed the suspect’s vehicle traveling through Arroyo Grande, and they conducted a high-risk traffic stop on Highway 101 near Fourth Street in Pismo Beach, a news release said.
Mendibles was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Merrin said he saw a person next to a car in Vore’s driveway about 11:30 on Friday morning.
Neighbor and friend speak kindly of Vore
“She would do anything to help someone out,” Merrin said. “It probably cost her her life.”
On Facebook, Robert W. Bell wrote that Vore loved the ranch life and her herd of animals. “That’s what got her up and working every day,” he said.
According to Bell, Vore wore denim and boots and was an avid participant in the annual Mule Days celebration in Bishop. “Either you do love (mules) or you don’t, and she did,” he said.
Bell hailed Vore as “another lost treasure from her generation.”
“She looked you in the eye,” Bell said on Facebook, noting that Vore had a firm handshake and “honor and respect in her tone and voice.”
Suspect in custody at SLO County Jail
As of Sunday afternoon, Mendibles remained in custody at San Luis Obispo County Jail, records show.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who was in the area of Chamisal Lane on the evening of Nov. 27 and believes they saw Mendibles to contact them at 805-781-4550.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers by calling 805-549-STOP (7867) or through their website: www.slotips.org.
This story was originally published November 29, 2020 at 2:33 PM.
CORRECTION: A clarification was made in this story: Tom Merrin said he saw a person standing next to a vehicle in Vore’s driveway, but did not know if this was the suspect. Merrin told the sheriff he could not identify the suspect.