Man accused in fatal Arroyo Grande stabbing may not be competent to stand trial
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Judge raised doubts about Fritz Schnoor’s ability to understand charges against him.
- Suspect previously broke into victims’ home and violated restraining order.
- Mental health evaluation ordered ahead of next court hearing in October.
The Oceano man accused of attacking an Arroyo Grande couple — and fatally stabbing one of them — may not be competent to stand trial.
In court on Tuesday, San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Barry LaBarbera declared doubt into the mental competency of 35-year-old Fritz Galen Schnoor.
Schnoor was arrested after he allegedly broke into the home of 74-year-old Cynthia and 71-year-old Joseph Giambalvo and stabbed them both multiple times late Thursday evening.
Cynthia Giambalvo later died at the hospital from the injuries she suffered in the attack.
Schnoor has a history of mental illness, court records show, and has previously targeted the Giambalvos. According to court records, Schnoor broke into the Giambalvos home in 2017 with a knife and told a case worker he had “the intent to harm” the Giambalvos.
Court records show Schnoor violated the restraining order the Giambalvos had against him at least once. That restraining order expired in 2021.
Schnoor was placed in an LPS conservatorship in the Public Guardian’s Office, meaning his mental illness was so severe he could not care for himself and was deemed “gravely disabled,” in 2019, but the court released him from the conservatorship into the custody of his mother in 2022.
LaBarbera said Schnoor will be evaluated by a mental health professional to determine whether Schnoor understands the charges against him.
The next court hearing in the case was scheduled for Oct. 21.
This story was originally published September 23, 2025 at 9:51 AM.
