Goleta man fatally stabs his parents, 2 kids, family dog

GOLETA, Calif. (KABC) -- Santa Barbara County sheriff's deputies responded to a quadruple homicide Monday just past 11 p.m. Monday. A 46-year-old man was arrested at a residence on the 600 block of Walnut Park Lane in Goleta.

Four victims and a dog, all with stab wounds and deceased, were found inside the home, according to the sheriff's office.

The arrested suspect was identified as Nicholas Holzer. His mother, father and two sons, ages 10 and 13, were killed.

Holzer allegedly called authorities to report he had killed his relatives. Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown said Holzer said the killings had been his destiny.

The boys had lived with Holzer at Holzer's parents' house for seven years. He had gained custody of the boys after a divorce.

Holzer killed his 73-year-old father, then stabbed the boys repeatedly in their sleep. He then stabbed his 74-year-old mother and the family dog, according to the sheriff's department.

Two large kitchen knives were found, believed to be the murder weapons.

"This is another huge tragedy for our community," said Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown, referencing the rampage last May by a gun-wielding young man who killed six people and wounded 13 others near the UCSB campus.

Brown said there was no history of criminal activity or any other trouble reported at the home during the years Holzer and his children lived there.

Holzer was held without bail.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.