Teen out on bail charged after California art gallery manager stabbed to death

A 73-year-old California artist and gallery manager was killed in a stabbing outside Capitola Mall on Monday, with police saying the attack appeared to be a random act of violence.

Rachell Summers died after suffering multiple stab wounds near the mall’s food court exit, according to the Capitola Police Department. Officers responded to the area around 12:47 pm and attempted lifesaving measures, but Summers was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police later located and arrested 19-year-old Tyler Leibelt of Santa Cruz about half a mile away from where the attack occurred, in the 1400 block of 41st Avenue, authorities said. He was out on bail for another felony case, according to the New York Post.

Court records show Leibelt has been charged with murder along with sentencing enhancements, including the use of a deadly weapon and killing while lying in wait.

Investigators said there is no evidence that Summers and Leibelt knew each other before the attack. “Based on the investigation to date, detectives believe this was a random act of violence, and there is no indication that the suspect and victim knew one another prior to the attack,” police said in a Facebook post.

Summers was the manager of the Art of Santa Cruz gallery inside Capitola Mall. The gallery announced it would close temporarily following her death. “We are mourning the loss of our gallery manager, Rachell Summers,” the gallery wrote in an Instagram post.

The killing shocked residents in the beachside community, with many sharing memories of Summers online. Several people described her as friendly and welcoming, with one commenter saying she had recently helped them with an orchid print they were preparing. “She was such a delight to talk with every time I went in,” another person wrote. “Her presence will be missed.”

A memorial was also set up outside the mall, according to local station KSBW. Marilyn Gwynn, one of Summers’ co-workers, struggled to process the loss while speaking to the station. “You cannot, you cannot process that,” Gwynn said. “It’s too hard. It’s too hard.”