On February 7, 2026, the quiet seaside community of Santa Monica was shaken by the grim discovery of two individuals inside an apartment on Ocean Avenue. A concerned family member, unable to make contact for several days, requested a welfare check, leading police to the residence. Inside, they found the bodies of Stephanie Jefferson, a 54-year-old Black female, and Eric Langley, also 54 years old.
Both had sustained apparent gunshot wounds, and a firearm was recovered at the scene.
The initial investigation by the Santa Monica Police Department has led them to believe the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide. The authorities have stated that Jefferson and Langley were known to each other and that there are no outstanding suspects being sought in connection with the incident. Investigators have assured the public that this appears to be an isolated event and there is no ongoing threat to the community.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office has formally identified Stephanie Jefferson. However, the official cause and manner of her death are pending the completion of a thorough investigation, which may take several months. At this time, no further details regarding the circumstances that led to this tragic event have been released by law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing as detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division continue to piece together the final moments of Stephanie Jefferson and Eric Langley's lives.
