Lomita Man Arrested on Suspicion of Wife's Murder

The hospitalized husband of a missing Lomita woman was arrested this morning on suspicion of killing her, an investigator said. He jumped from an RPV cliff last week.

David Viens, 47, of Lomita, remains at County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center after leaping nearly 90 feet off of a cliff in Rancho Palos Verdes last week. His wife, Dawn Viens, 39, also of Lomita, has been missing for 16 months.

Viens is expected to be charged with murder within 48 hours, sheriff's homicide Lt. Dave Coleman said.

His breathing tube removed, Coleman said Viens is stable and detectives hope to speak with him as soon as possible.

Viens is a suspect in the disappearance and murder of his wife, Dawn, who was last seen Oct. 18, 2009.

Viens' case was upgraded to murder suspect before he jumped last Wednesday.

Investigator's had found "traces of blood spattered in various locations of (Viens') house," Coleman said.

Investigators had information Viens' vehicle was near Palos Verdes Drive West last Wednesday. Deputies followed Viens' car to Point Vicente Light House, sheriff's officials reported, where they saw Viens and his girlfriend in an altercation.

When police ordered Viens to stop what they believed was an act of domestic violence, Viens released his girlfriend, ran, and jumped off of the cliff, according to sheriff's officials.

Viens underwent surgery for his extensive injuries and had been in critical condition until recently.

Viens has a "moderate" criminal past, Coleman said, and did some state prison time for a drug charge.

Dawn's body still has not been found.