Crime

Man arrested after allegedly killing wife in front of their children

By Linda Ikeji 9 November 2026, 2:01 pm

A California man has been charged with murdering his wife in front of their three children, just five months after he was arrested over an earlier alleged domestic violence incident involving her.

Thomas John Iovenitti, 40, has been charged with murdering his wife, Alisha Iovenitti, five months after he was arrested in connection with another alleged domestic violence incident involving her, according to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

The children, ages 9, 9, and 10, are now being cared for by relatives and close friends following the Oct. 23 killing of their mother at the family’s home in Concord, according to a post on GoFundMe.

The GoFundMe fundraiser organized by Jennifer Curry aims to raise $100,000 to support the children, with nearly $70,000 already donated as of Sunday late afternoon.

“The family unit is working tirelessly together to give them a stable home, counseling, and routines that feel normal again,” Curry states in the fundraiser.

According to the New York Post, the incident occurred around 8:50 p.m. on Oct. 23, when Concord police received a report of a disturbance involving an armed man and a woman at a residence on Panoramic Drive.

Officers arrived and attempted to make contact with those inside, but nobody answered. Police eventually forced their way into the house, where they discovered both adults suffering from apparent stab wounds.

Despite efforts to save her, Alisha was pronounced dead at the scene. Her husband was rushed to a hospital in critical condition.

Prosecutors have since charged Thomas Iovenitti with murder and dissuading a witness from reporting a crime.

The incident comes months after authorities had already accused him of violence against his wife.

According to prosecutors, Iovenitti was initially charged following a May 9 incident involving allegations of assault with a deadly weapon, assault by means of force likely to cause great bodily injury, corporal injury to a spouse, and false imprisonment.

At a May 19 court hearing, a judge set his bail at just $1,000 despite objections from the District Attorney’s Office.

The judge also ordered Iovenitti to stay away from his wife and prohibited him from returning to the family home.

In addition to the murder charge, prosecutors have filed felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon and corporal injury to a spouse in connection with the May incident.

Iovenitti also faces five misdemeanor counts, including violating a court order and four counts of child endangerment.

He is being held without bail at the Martinez Detention Facility and was scheduled to be arraigned in late October.