A 55-year-old Vista man suspected of killing his mother has been arrested, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday.
Tad Christopher Johnson was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon at a home in the 2100 block of Riviera Drive in Vista. Deputies discovered 80-year-old Linda Johnson of Arizona gravely injured at the residence while investigating a reported assault, according to Lt. Juan Marquez.
Paramedics transported Linda Johnson to a hospital, where she passed away the following day, Marquez said.
The exact cause of her death is currently under investigation, as are the motivation and circumstances surrounding the crime, Marquez added.
As of Thursday, it remained unclear who resides in the home where the alleged homicide occurred. Detectives believe the residence might belong to a member of the family shared by the mother and son, according to Marquez.
The suspect is being held without bail at the Vista Detention Facility, pending his arraignment scheduled for Friday afternoon.
https://timesofsandiego.com/crime/2025/10/17/vista-man-suspected-of-killing-mother-arrested/