Irvine police seek roommate of slain woman

Irvine police Friday were hunting for the roommate of a woman stabbed to death with a screwdriver Thanksgiving afternoon in her home.

Brandi Lutes, 36, was found by her 9-year-old son, who called emergency services about 3 p.m., Irvine police spokesman Lt. Rick Handfield said. Lutes also has a 16-year-old, who wasn’t at the residence on Ardmore at the time.

Lutes’ roommate and brother-in-law, Gustavo Mares, has not been seen since her body was found, Handfield said. Although Mares, 35, is not a suspect, police are hoping he will be able to shed some light on the slaying.

Anyone with information is asked to call Irvine police at (949) 724-7183.