A 53-year-old Calabasas High School volunteer and sports booster who was stabbed to death was remembered Wednesday as witty, funny and dedicated.
Connie Cajulis, a regular volunteer at Calabasas High School and strong supporter of the school's athletic programs, was found in the residence in the 7100 block of Shadow Ridge Court between 4:30 and 5 p.m. Tuesday. A 16-year-old boy was arrested, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
"We just lost a mother. We just lost a phenomonal lady," said Lauren Young, the school's assistant principal and friend. "She was a person who was on campus almost everyday and always had something witty to say and always made me laugh."
Police said the teen took Cajulis' car and crashed it a short distance from the home, leading to his arrest. Cajulis was not related to the teen, but friends said she and her family had taken the boy into the home, possibly after he was expelled from Calabasas High School.
Sgt. Greg Houser, the watch commander at the LAPD's Topanga Station, said officers responded to a call about an injured woman and found the victim had suffered multiple stab wounds.
Detectives don't believe the motive was robbery.
Neighbors were shocked.
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"There's usually no crime in this neighborhood, no violent crime," said Rachel Fishman. "To hear about this is really surprising."
