LOS GATOS, Calif. (AP) — A man from Los Gatos, California has been accused of murdering his wife and disposing of her body in a remote area of the Santa Cruz Mountains, according to the Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department.
The victim, YingYing “Dawn” Yu, 40, was reported missing by her employer after not contacting them since the beginning of the new year. Investigators began looking into her whereabouts and uncovered inconsistencies in the information provided by her husband, John Maxey Yeager, 56, the police said.
Along with her disappearance, evidence of a domestic violence incident on New Year’s Eve involving Yu and Yeager was also found. Yeager was subsequently arrested and charged for his involvement in the domestic violence incident.
Further investigation revealed that Yeager had visited a remote area in the Santa Cruz Mountains earlier in the year, leading the investigative team to discover what are believed to be Yu’s remains in that location. While the identification is pending confirmation by the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner, Yeager is currently in custody on charges related to the murder.
The Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department expressed its gratitude for the support and cooperation from Dawn Yu’s community, colleagues, and family, and extended condolences to all those who knew Yu. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Mike Birley at (408) 827-3219.