Victims ID'd in suspicious deaths
On Friday, February 19, deputies from the Sonoma Police Department along with detectives from the Sheriff’s office and the Sonoma County Coroner’s office, responded to 745 1st Street West, regarding two suspicious deaths.
Detectives found the bodies of Amy Marie Beam, 28, and her daughter, Anjelee Sanchez, 6, lying side by side in bed. Based on the conditions of the bodies, detectives believe they may have been deceased for up to four days.
Detectives found notes and letters written by Beam, which suggested her intent to commit suicide. They also located dozens of pills and medications in close proximity to the bodies. Based on Beam’s writings, interviews with friends and family, and the medications, detectives suspect Beam killed her daughter by giving her an overdose of medications, then committed suicide by ingesting the pills herself.
On February 22, autopsies were performed on both Beam and Sanchez, which revealed a lack of external trauma associated with a violent assault. The pathologist located evidence that Beam and Sanchez may have died of an overdose of medication, however, final results of blood toxicity will not be available until lab results are completed within the next couple of weeks. The preliminary results support the belief that the deaths were the result of a murder/suicide.
Neighbors described Beam as a quiet loner who kept to herself. Her daughter, Anjelee, was a first grader at nearby Prestwood Elementary School. Prestwood has been hit especially hard in the last year with the untimely deaths of both parents and students, most notably all four members of the Maloney family, killed in an automobile accident on Highway 37 in November. Counselors and other assistance have been put into place at the school to help families and students cope with this tragedy.
The death is being investigated by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Investigations Unit. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Detective Shawn Murphy at 707-565-2185. For further information please contact Lt. Chris Spallino at 707-565-2185
