Judy Niemi, 2/15/2009

Name: Judy Niemi

Synopsis: Deputies were called to a home in the 6000 block of Arcaro Drive for a disturbance. They found Jesse Frost in the front yard and took him in for questioning. Inside they found four victims who had been stabbed. Two were dead and a third died on the way to Oak Valley Hospital. The fourth victim, Matthew James, 18, survived and was released from the hospital later in the week. James was identified by relatives as Frost's nephew.

The victims who died were identified as Donna Norton, Frost's mother; Judy Niemi, his sister; and Tony Niemi, his brother-in-law.

Motivation: Relatives and neighbors said Frost struggled with drug addiction and mental illness.

Suspect: Authorities arrested Frost, 38, soon after the killings.

Status: Frost is being held without bail at Stanislaus County Jail on three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. He pleaded guilty in Stanislaus County Superior Court on Sept. 17, 2009, to stabbing his mother, sister and brother-in-law to death and attempting to murder his nephew. Frost will be sentenced in October.

If you would like to submit photos of this victim or have other information to share, please email homicides@modbee.com.

This story was originally published February 19, 2009 at 1:14 AM with the headline "Judy Niemi, 2/15/2009."