The Antelope Valley Times

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Woman stabbed to death in Lancaster, husband held for questioning [updated]

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LANCASTER – A man was being held for questioning Sunday in connection with the stabbing death of his wife in Lancaster, authorities said.

The stabbing occurred around 11:50 p.m. Saturday, July 1, on the 4200 block of Jonathon Street, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

“Detectives have learned that the suspect and victim were engaged in an argument, of unknown reasons, prior to the stabbing. The suspect and victim were married with two children,” the news release states.

“The suspect was detained at the location and is being held pending interviews by homicide detectives,” the news release states.

The victim, an Asian female, was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead, according to the sheriff’s news release.

Her name has not yet been released pending next of kin notification. A friend, who did not want to be named, said the victim was a nurse at Antelope Valley Hospital.

The suspect’s name was not released.

No further information was immediately available Monday morning.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.

To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

UPDATE: The victim was identified as 37-year-old Katrina Barragan of Lancaster, according to coroner’s Investigator Kelli Blanchard.

UPDATE:  Rafael Barragan, who was initially held for questioning, was arrested and booked on suspicion of murder. Barragan, 47, is being held at the Men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles in lieu of $2 million bail, according to the sheriff’s department. 

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36 comments for "Woman stabbed to death in Lancaster, husband held for questioning [updated]"

  1. To Dora

    I’m pleased that you feel Ralph is a good husband and father. A good husband who murdered his wife, and a good father that not only did it with their daughter in the house while she heard the screams of her dying mother but a great father who took a mother, sister and daughter away. I am concerned of what your definition of a good husband and father is. You may need to talk to a domestic violence counselor. My concern is that you feel this is ok for some reason. That it’s ok to be murdered; you know, as long as the guy is nice and all.
    I’m happy you are there to support him though.
    Hopefully if he gets out for some reason you can take him in your home and trust him with your children. I hope they don’t make him angry.

    Anyways, for the people who are getting the wrong Ralph. His booking # is 5031977
    His D.O.B is 6/29/70

  2. Prayers to the every member of these families and the many loved ones who are hurting right now.

  3. My most deepest condolences to everyone involved.
    I’m going to believe in my heart he didn’t do this and I’m going to pray the killer is found.
    My husband worked with him and never saw any indication of aggression or anger. He would always talk highly of his wife and kids. He would drive hours to and from work and always try and make it to his children’s events. This could of been an argument that went out of control. I don’t know the facts however we are all here to provide support. I hope the truth come out and the family get answers.
    I also want Rafaels family to know we are here to provide support.
    My personal feelings no facts

    • Dora,

      Are you a moron? He confessed to it and he did this in front of their daughter. I hope he dies a horrible death in Jail and then has fun in hell. Why are you standing up for this guy? You need to stop posting because for 1. you make no sense and 2. you sound completely stupid. No support should be given to him… Doing it in front of your daughter and killing the mom of your kids. No support given to him or family. All should be given to those kids and her family.

      • This is an open forum. I’m sorry your so angry and evil I hope you get some kind of help. I know him and will continue to support him. Unfortunately if it was domestic violence it come in many forms. Who I’m I to judge. I feel sorry You have so much hate. You called me stupid and a moron your a Bully. You’re the type of person that needs to be in jail and reciving mental help. Do u need a referral ????
        God bless you!!!!!!!

      • Your a bully Lou says
        This is an open forum. I fully support everyone involved who am I to judge.
        Keep your angry comments to your self.

      • Don’t say this about my uncle. I hope he gets he help he needs. And may god forgive him.

        • I’m m sorry
          I hope your uncle gets help. I know he loved his wife and kids. My husband and I are praying for him and all your family. Tell him his friends at work are thinking and supporting him. It’s unfortunate and sad, however who are we to judge.

    • You clearly didn’t know him. I am her friend and co worker and she talked to me a lot about him. He was a crappy husband and she told me he got drunk everynight and on his days off he would start getting drunk in the middle of the day. They had cameras inside their house and she told me the week before he killed her he would call her when he was at work and ask her why she was 15 min late from the gym the minute she walked in the door!! He was extremely jealous and controlling! When she got to work she would have to call him on our landline so he would believe she was really at work! And you are calling that man who commented “evil” you use that term very loosely! The only one evil is Ralph and I hope he rots in hell!!

      • Sarah,

        I’m just curious, since you were such a good friend to Katrina, did you ever tell her to get help, or to leave her husband? Did you offer to help her in anyway? I mean because A LOT of her nurse “friends” are saying she spoke about her marriage problems often but yet nobody offered a safe haven for her? Or were you only her “friend”for the gossip? Aren’t nurses advocates for domestic abuse, or any type of abuse at that?

        • As a matter of fact, yes. You clearly are too ignorant to understand that someone cannot make someone’s choices for them. Had anyone seen marks, brusies or she said he hit her anyone (not just nurses) should report it. You obviously live in some other world than the present. She obviously didn’t tell you for a reason. So maybe stay out of it . If she was close to you then why didn’t you run to the police over the jealousy or arguments? You know why? Because police don’t run to married couples being jealous or arguing. If you knew her so well and have so much to say about nobody doing anything then maybe go blame your self. As for professionals, we know when to report a crime. Arguing is not a crime. Being jealous is not a crime. Being a [removed] husband is not a crime. Blaming each other for losing someone we all clearly love is a waste of time. You need to grow up

  5. Richard is right. Unless it’s the family, no one should have a say on the victim or the killer.

    Don’t let them get to you Rich. You have every right to be responsive to these clowns with no facts.

    Have respect and let this family grieve a loss, to the family and the community.

  6. Hey Dora,

    It was the person you thought that was a good father and husband. He’s a monster…

    My sister was a beautiful mother and wife.

    That’s the truth.

    Thank you for all the support and prayers we have received through this. Me and my family appreciate it and you guys being here for us.

  7. Well Rebekah if you knew Ralph than you would see that what you saw ain’t even his birthday. And if you really checked him out, he never went by Ralphie. And look at the book date… KNOW YOUR FACTS BEFORE YOU OPEN YOUR MOUTH!

    Have respect..

    • Yeah look it up, but make sure you’re getting the right person. You should just stop before you make yourself look like an idiot to the community that loved me sister.

  10. Hi Rich,

    My husband worked with Rafael this a good husband and father. Hope the killer is found. His he in jail? We would like to help if any help is needed.

    Dora Rios

  11. To Rebekah.

    I am the victims brother.

    Please have your facts straight before making bull sh*t up.

    Rebekah has no idea what she is taking about. Not defending him because again she’s my sister, but he didn’t.

    • All I was going by is what the LASD website shows! I thought she only had one brother and his name is NOT “Rich!” Maybe YOU don’t have your facts straight. Either way, Rafael is a coward and a monster to commit this atrocious act and especially in front of his own daughter! There is a special place in H ELL for people like him. RIP Katrina, you didn’t deserve this and neither did your kids

  12. This monster, RAFAEL BARRAGAN has 2 previous felonies (March 2017 and April 2017) What the hell was he doing out of jail???????????

        • Really? What does it affect? You have no idea what you are talking about. Typical uneducated you know who.

          • Okay. Educate us on how someone who allegedly has been charged ( and convicted?) of two felonies a month apart has taken advantage of Realignment AB 109.

            Yes, it does affect felonies however I didn’t think context was needed given the assumption.

    • There are 2 Rafael Barragan on the lasd inmate site. Thus suspect us from Lancaster with a birthday of 6/30/1970. You may be looking at a different suspect.

  13. She was an amazing person I don’t understand how anyone could hurt her my heart is broken I hope the husband pays for what he has done!! (RIP my friend)