Santa Cruz police are continuing to investigate the death of a Santa Cruz woman who was apparently killed by an ex-boyfriend before he took his own life at a 7-Eleven store Friday morning.
Police believe that Nichole Schrock, 24, an employee at the convenience store, was shot multiple times by 42-year-old San Jose resident Illya Cavlan before he shot himself in the head, police spokesman Zach Friend said.
Officers responded to the 7-Eleven store at 367 Ocean St. at about 9:45 a.m. Friday after a customer reported being unable to locate a clerk, even though the business appeared to be open.
Arriving officers found Cavlan and Schrock dead from gunshot wounds in a locked restroom with a revolver next to Cavlan, Friend said.
Surveillance footage reviewed by police shows Schrock working at the register, and then heading to a back room. Cavlan is captured entering the store, looking around and then heading to the back of the store when he doesn't see anybody. He reappears and then returns to the back room, according to Friend.
Friend said police are still investigating the motive for killing but are classifying it as domestic violence.
Schrock had moved from Seaside to Santa Cruz in April, Friend said. On her MySpace page, where she refers to herself as "Kiara's Mommy," Schrock writes, "I moved to Santa Cruz back in April. I love it here. I have a new boyfriend his name is Billy. He is amazing. My baby girl is two now. She is so smart and beautiful. I'm loving life."
Her co-worker Willy Anguiano said Schrock had been working at 7-Eleven for nearly four months and was a hard worker.
"She was always happy and smiling," Anguiano said.
A memorial for Schrock is scheduled at noon on Jan. 9 at the Carmel Valley Community Center, according to a Facebook page in her memory. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that attendees donate to an education fund for her daughter, Kiara Nichole Schrock Bustoz.
The death marks the city's first homicide of the year.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the investigations section of the Santa Cruz Police Department at (831) 420-5820. People wishing to remain anonymous may call (831) 420-5995.
Bay City News
