CARLSBAD (CNS) - A Carlsbad woman whose body was found in the San Diego County backcountry Friday night died of strangulation, the Medical Examiner's Office reported Sunday.
Authorities have not said where the body of Kathleen Cary Scharbarth, a 34-year-old furniture importer, was discovered, only that it was a remote location in the county.
Her ex-boyfriend, Michael David Robles, remained behind bars on suspicion of kidnapping and murder.
Scharbarth, who had a restraining order against the 43-year-old Robles, was last seen Wednesday night near her home in the 3100 block of Via Puerta, east of Melrose Drive, according to Carlsbad police. The restraining order was filed Nov. 17.
Robles, arrested Friday, was denied bail and locked up in Vista, pending arraignment scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Robles's house on Baja Vista Drive in Fallbrook and Scharbarth's home were searched, but whatever evidence might have been recovered was not disclosed. Several agencies were involved in the investigation, including the state Department of Justice.
A family member said Scharbarth is survived by her daughter, Madison, 13, her parents, Ryan and Virginia Scharbarth, her brother, Michael and sister, Melissa. Scharbarth graduated from San Dieguito Academy high school and owned a furniture importing company called Ardanas.
Scharbarth's current boyfriend had left her home late Wednesday night, then returned on Thanksgiving morning, Scharbarth's birthday, so they could have breakfast together, according to broadcast reports. He reportedly found the door to her house open and her 13-year-old daughter asleep inside, then called police to report her missing.
Scharbarth's father said she planned to join the family for Thanksgiving.