San Rafael Murder: Suspect in Murder of Homeless Woman is Another Homeless Female
– By Jim Emerson
SAN RAFAEL, CA — Leslieli V. Ilolahia, a 31-year-old homeless woman, allegedly murdered
another homeless woman.
Ilolahia was arrested on March 15, one day after the unidentified 28-year-old victim was fatally stabbed.
The victim was unresponsive on March 14 at 6:15 p.m. Officers and paramedics found her
suffering from multiple stab wounds.
“During an interview with investigators, Ilolahia admitted to stabbing the victim,” San Rafael
police said in a prepared statement. “She was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Ilolahia was apprehended near Lincoln Avenue, a short distance from the murder scene on
Andersen Drive, between Lindaro and Irwin streets. It happened not far from a city-sanctioned
camping area for homeless persons on Mahone Path.
Investigators obtained a warrant to search the suspect’s encampment. “Detectives believe
evidence was located that further connects her to the crime,” according to SRPD.
Ilolahia was booked into Marin County Jail on suspicion of murder PC 187(A). The motive for
the deadly attack on the victim remains under investigation.
Ilolahia has two prior arrests in Marin County for assault with deadly force likely to produce
great bodily injury, March 2025 and March 2024.
She has prior convictions on her record in Alameda County. In 2023, Ilolahia was convicted
for possession of a controlled substance and petty theft. In 2021, she was convicted for
unauthorized use of personal identifying information.
In 2019, she was arrested in Contra Costa County, for possession of a stolen vehicle in
Richmond.
