Authorities identify woman killed near Atwater

A woman killed during the weekend near Atwater was identified Monday by the Merced County Coroner’s Office.

Lucia Medrano Zarco, 63, was found fatally shot at a home in the 4400 block of Franklin Road just after 6 p.m. Saturday, according to the Merced County Sheriff’s Department.

Zarco’s estranged husband was taken into custody. Merced County sheriff’s Sgt. Chuck Hale confirmed that Crisanto Bedolla, 60, of Winton was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Investigators said the woman was having a barbecue with family members when her estranged husband arrived and shot her.

The woman’s family members held the man until deputies arrived and took him into custody.

The couple’s children were in attendance at the barbecue, authorities said; their ages were not released.

Bedolla remains in custody at John Latorraca Correctional Facility without bail.

This story was originally published August 17, 2015 at 3:37 PM with the headline "Authorities identify woman killed near Atwater."