The family of Jessica Morales is mourning the death of the beloved Walmart worker who was brutally stabbed in a random attack inside a superstore in Riverside County, California where she had worked for years. Morales is being remembered as a "kind, generous" mom and grandmother. "We feel an incredible loss in our family.
Jessica was a light to all around her," the Morales family wrote on a . "She was kind, generous, and loving to everyone she encountered. She always put people before herself.
Though it pains us, we now have a beautiful angel looking over our family." told on Monday the store would remain closed while cooperating with officers during the investigation, but plans to reopen this Friday. "We're heartbroken by what's happened at our Lake Elsinore store," Walmart headquarters told .
"We offer our condolences and support to the family during this difficult time and will continue working with our associates, providing support as needed." Headquarters also said mental health resources are available for employees and that they have reached out to the Morales family to offer support during this time. One of Morales' co-workers told that she worked at for over 25 years.
"She was a really good person," they said remaining anonymous. "A great friend. Everyone loved her.
" Deputies discovered Morales with at approximately 7 a.m. in Walmart after 29-year-old .
Despite efforts from medical personnel, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Hinton is now behind bars after a shocking turn of events. He turned himself in at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff's station and the police arrested him on suspicion of murder.
Hinton, who had been released from state prison earlier this year for robbery and was on parole at the time of the incident, is now in custody at the Cois Byrd Detention Center. "This appears to be a random event, and there was no connection between the suspect and the victim prior to the assault," stated the sheriff's department in a release. "There are no outstanding suspects in this case.
Due to an ongoing investigation, no additional details will be released." The investigation is still ongoing. Officials encourage anyone with information to call Investigator K.
Farag or Investigator D. Robertson of the Central Homicide Unit. The Morales family created a to help with expenses and expressed their gratitude for the support they have received during this time.
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