Woman killed near Atwater; estranged husband in custody

A man is in custody in the shooting death of his estranged wife, authorities said.

According to the Merced County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were called to a home in the 4400 block of Franklin Road just after 6 p.m. Saturday. The location is southeast of Atwater.

When deputies arrived, they found a woman who had been fatally shot. Her estranged husband was taken into custody. Merced County Sheriff’s Sgt. Chuck Hale confirmed Sunday that Crisanto Bedolla, 60, of Winton, was arrested on a murder charge.

Investigators said the woman was having a barbecue with family members when her estranged husband arrived. He shot her an undisclosed number of times.

Authorities have not released the name of the victim.

The woman’s family members held the man at the scene 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 Latoracca Correctional Facility with bail set at $1 million.

This story was originally published August 16, 2015 at 8:15 AM with the headline "Woman killed near Atwater; estranged husband in custody."