Police: Despite attempted cover-up, man is charged in homicide of girlfriend in Hayward

"HAYWARD After a months-long investigation that enabled police to disprove statements he made in an attempt to cover up his involvement, a man has been charged with murder in the July strangulation and beating death of his girlfriend in his apartment, according to authorities and court records. Michael Douglas Flunoy Jr., 43, was charged Monday with murder in the July 19 death of 46-year-old Susana Vallejos, a Lathrop resident and the mother of four children."

"According to police and court documents, Vallejos was found unresponsive in Flunoy's bedroom at his apartment in the 1000 block of Highland Boulevard about 10:30 p.m. July 19. Flunoy had called 911, telling dispatchers she had overdosed on drugs. Paramedics attempted life-saving measures but she was pronounced dead at 11:03 p.m. According to the documents, she had a bruise on her head and rigor mortis in her jaw that caused such rigidity paramedics were unable to use an airway device to try and revive her."

"Police said it turned out she had been dead for about an hour before the 911 call and that the ensuing police investigation, led by Senior Homicide Detective Nick Niedenthal, determined that Flunoy and Lynn had the opportunity to clean the crime scene and later lied to investigators in an attempt to conceal the alleged murder. A motive for the killing has not been determined."

Michael Douglas Flunoy Jr., 43, has been charged with murder in the July 19 strangulation and beating death of 46-year-old Susana Vallejos. Vallejos was found unresponsive in Flunoy's bedroom after Flunoy called 911 claiming she had overdosed; paramedics pronounced her dead at 11:03 p.m. She had a head bruise and severe jaw rigidity from rigor mortis that prevented airway attempts. Authorities determined she had been dead about an hour before the call. A months-long investigation disproved statements made to conceal involvement. Flunoy is held without bail; roommate David Bobby Lynn Jr. faces accessory and weapon charges.

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