Tulare man charged with killing day spa employee

Sheyanne N Romero, Visalia Times-Delta
·2 min read

A 32-year-old Tulare man accused of homicide and arson was arrested in Northern California and brought back to Tulare County to face criminal charges, according to police.

On May 1, Jacoby Jackson was arraigned on one count of murder and one count of car theft with several special allegations including robbery, arson, causing great bodily injury and increasing seriousness of prior convictions.

His charges stem from a large April 9 fire in downtown Tulare. Here's what we know about the investigation, so far.

First responders work the scene of a fire Sunday, April 9, 2023 on K Street in Downtown Tulare. A woman was transported from the scene to a local hospital.
First responders work the scene of a fire Sunday, April 9, 2023 on K Street in Downtown Tulare. A woman was transported from the scene to a local hospital.

Around 6 p.m. April 9, Tulare firefighters responded to 7 Day Spa in the 140 block of North K Street. While searching the business, a woman was found in one of the rooms, Sgt. Rosa Moreno said.

The victim was later identified as Xiuqun Yuan, of Los Angeles.

The 57-year-old woman was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she later died. Her body showed signs of strangulation, according to Tulare County prosecutors.

Yuan was an employee at 7 Day Spa, according to police.

Detectives and arson investigators discovered evidence inside of the business suggesting "foul play," Moreno said.

Jackson was identified as the suspect through video surveillance. He was later arrested in the Northern California city of Ceres in connection with an unrelated case, according to Moreno.

Jackson was booked into Tulare County Pretrial Facility last week on suspicion of theft and homicide. It's unclear if Jackson knew Yuan prior to the April incident.

Jackson has a lengthy criminal history that dates to 2011. He was also sentenced to prison in 2019 and 2022, according to his most recently filed criminal complaint.

If convicted on all charges, Jackson faces life in prison or the death sentence.

If anyone has any information regarding this case, they are encouraged to call Detective Eric Wilson at 685-2300 ext. 2157.

First responders work the scene of a fire Sunday, April 9, 2023 on K Street in Downtown Tulare. A woman was transported from the scene to a local hospital.
First responders work the scene of a fire Sunday, April 9, 2023 on K Street in Downtown Tulare. A woman was transported from the scene to a local hospital.

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Tulare man charged with killing day spa employee