Mom shot dead in Santa Maria, California: Amber Alert issued for her 9-year-old son

Amber Alert, Daniel Morozov, Santa Maria‬, ‪California — Image credit: California Highway Patrol

An Amber Alert was issued for 9-year-old Daniel Morozov after Daniel’s mother was found shot and killed last night in Santa Maria, California. The woman’s body was discovered on August 21 around 8:30 p.m. after Santa Maria Police went to a residence in the 200 block of N. College Drive to investigate reports of a shooting. Now police believe that Daniel was abducted by his mother’s husband, 48-year-old Konstantin Morozov, according to The Los Angeles Times. It has not yet been determined if Konstantin Morozov is Daniel’s biological parent.

Authorities believe that the boy is with Morozov and that they’re traveling in an SUV. The original Amber Alert issued around midnight on August 21 had us on the lookout for a 2015 blue Volkswagen hatchback; but that vehicle was found abandoned in Santa Maria. An updated Amber Alert released on August 22 stated that police now believe Morozov is driving a black 2017 Jeep Cherokee with license plate 7XZK698, according to NBC Bay Area.

Morozov is considered a person of interest in Daniel’s abduction; and police also believe it’s possible that Morozov is responsible for shooting and killing Daniel’s mother. Morozov was described in the Amber Alert as being 6 feet tall, weighing approximately 180 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Nine-year-old Daniel was described as being about 4-foot-5, weighing approximately 90 pounds, also with brown hair and brown eyes. Daniel was last seen wearing blue jeans.

Morozov is considered to be a flight risk. As such, international airports and border crossings are on high alert. Morozov should also be considered armed and dangerous. If seen, police advise not to approach him. Anyone who has seen the black 2017 Jeep Cherokee, Daniel or Konstantin Morozov, is asked to call the Santa Maria Police Department at 805-928-3781 extension 2277, or, call 911.