Victim of Attempted Homicide Remains Critical

CAMARILLO — A 48-year-old victim of an attempted homicide who was discovered in her Santa Rosa Valley home over the weekend remained in critical condition at a local hospital Monday, officials said.

Linda Morissett suffered severe head injuries, said Eric Nishimoto, a spokesman for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. Authorities did not find the weapon used in the attack, he said.

Morissett was found Sunday by the family nanny, who also discovered Morissett’s unharmed toddler inside the residence in the 2000 block of Blanchard Road near Camarillo, Nishimoto said. Nishimoto did not know whether the toddler witnessed the assault.

The nanny called 911, and sheriff’s deputies and paramedics arrived at the home. The victim was taken by helicopter to St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard.

Morissett runs an accounting company with her husband, Richard, who in 1994 made an unsuccessful bid for county auditor-controller. He also unsuccessfully ran for Oxnard City Council in 1990.

Richard Morissett was out of town during the time of the attack, Nishimoto said. On Monday, authorities were interviewing him, as well as several other family members and neighbors.

No suspects had been arrested by Monday night, Nishimoto said.