Authorities ID woman killed in Santa Rosa homicide as search for suspect continues

Authorities have identified a woman found dead inside a Santa Rosa home early Tuesday morning, the Santa Rosa Police Department reported.

Mollie Schefer, 47, was found on the staircase of a house with gunshot wounds to the chest around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday when police were dispatched to Cecilia Drive after a neighbor reported hearing gunshots and screaming.

Schefer was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two dogs were also found with gunshot wounds. One dog was dead and the other was wounded.

Officers discovered that a back gate had been opened and a glass sliding door at the rear of the house was shattered in the area where the shots were heard.

As of Friday, police said they have not identified a suspect or the firearm used in the incident.

Officials are now asking the public for help. Anyone with information relating to the case is asked to call the tip line at 707-543-3590.

The Sonoma County Alliance Community Engagement and Safety Fund is offering a $5,000 reward for information relating to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved, officials said. The reward has been doubled since the news of Schefer’s death was first announced on Sept. 9.

Though the suspect is still at-large, police say they believe the incident was isolated and there is no ongoing public safety threat.