A mother of three children was found dead Tuesday morning and a man was hospitalized after a stabbing in a San Fernando Valley alley.
The female victim, a woman in her 40s, was found dead in a Van Nuys residential area near Kester Avenue and Lemay Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Another individual, identified only as a male, also suffered what appeared to be stab wounds and was hospitalized in serious, but stable, condition, according to police.
The man told police that three men got out of a black vehicle and assaulted him and his girlfriend, authorities said. The man told police he was unconscious and that he found the woman dead after regaining consciousness.
He called 911 three hours after the attack, police said.
"This takes time," said Los Angeles Police Capt. Lillian Carranza. "We have to do a thorough investigation, we can't discount anything and jump to conclusions."
Paramedics said the woman died at the scene, about a block northwest of Van Nuys High School.
The weapon was recovered at the location, police said.
No arrests were reported early Tuesday, and police said there are no suspects outstanding. Yellow police tape blocked off the alley during the investigation.
Police indicated earlier that a 4-year-old was involved in the altercation, but later said no child was present.
NBC4's Nyree Arabian contributed to this report.
Photo Credit: KNBC-TV