Long Beach
Police Department

On December 4, 2019 at approximately 5:10 p.m., officers responded to the 200 block of West 5th Street to assist the Long Beach Fire Department on scene with an assault victim, which ultimately resulted in the death of a female adult.

Upon arrival, officers contacted Fire personnel and were told the female was possibly the victim of an assault or accident. The victim was unconscious with minor visible injuries to her upper torso, and was transported by Long Beach Fire personnel to a local hospital for treatment.

On December 7, 2019, officers were advised the victim had succumbed to her injuries. The Homicide Detail was notified and immediately launched a suspicious death investigation.

The investigation revealed evidence that an argument had occurred between the victim and her live-in boyfriend during the morning hours of December 4th at their residence in the 700 block of Chestnut Avenue. The argument led to the victim being violently assaulted by the suspect, which led to her death.

On December 13, 2019, detectives located and arrested the suspect, identified as 50-year-old John Buchanan of Long Beach, in the 1000 block of San Fernando Road in the City of San Fernando. He was transported to the Long Beach City Jail where he was booked on one count of murder and is being held on $2,000,000 bail.

The victim has been identified as 46-year-old Jaynie Sauter of Long Beach.

Detectives anticipate presenting their case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney sometime this next week.

Anyone with any information regarding the incident is urged to contact LBPD Homicide Detectives Shea Robertson or Travis Harris at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through "LA Crime Stoppers" by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the "P3 Tips" app to your smart phone (available at the Apple app store or Google Play), or by visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.