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Homicide investigators with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attempted suicide of a man that occurred Wednesday at the 31500 block of Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Palos Verdes.

Investigators have identified the man as David Viens, a 43-year old White male, who is considered a suspect in the disappearance and murder of his wife, Dawn Viens, a 39-year old White female, who was last seen on Sunday, October 18, 2009, in Lomita.

Investigators developed information which led them to believe that he was the suspect in his wife's murder. Wednesday, they obtained information that his vehicle was at a location on Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Palos Verdes, and requested that Lomita Sheriff's Station deputies check on the vehicle.

When deputies arrived they observed the vehicle drive away and followed it to Point Vicente Light House where they observed Suspect Vien and a female in an altercation. Believing it was a domestic violence incident, deputies ordered Viens and the woman to stop.

Viens released the woman, ran and jumped off a cliff.

He was taken to a local hospital where he is listed in critical condition with extensive internal injuries. If he survives his injuries he will be arrested and charged with the murder of Dawn Viens.

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Lieutenant Dave Coleman
Homicide Bureau
Detective Division
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Deputy Gullermina Saldana
Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau - Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
(323) 267-4800
www.lasd.org
[email protected]



Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff