Suspect in Clovis double-homicide allegedly told sister of victim: ‘You’re next’

As the search continues for a British citizen who allegedly killed his estranged wife and mother-in-law in Clovis, police along California’s Central Coast have reported several potential sightings of the fugitive in Cambria.

Murder suspect Dave McCann, 49, has been on the run ever since authorities discovered the bodies of Tierney Cooper-McCann, 36, of Fresno, and Judith Cooper, 68, of Paso Robles. The mother and daughter were found stabbed to death inside a home in the 700 block of West Omaha Avenue at about 4 a.m. Saturday, police said.

Ty Wood, a spokesman for the Clovis Police Department, said McCann and Cooper-McCann were married but estranged.

Join the conversation on Facebook >>

McCann allegedly kicked in the door to the home before attacking the women. The last sighting of McCann was in Cambria on Monday, where it was reported that he was on foot and may have changed his appearance slightly, police said.

Cooper-McCann’s sister, Cortney Cooper Rider, told ABC30 that she had been inside the home, heard a banging on the door and ran to wake everyone before McCann kicked in the door.

“I went in and grabbed the phone and was getting ready to call 911 and by the time I walked out he was slitting her throat,” she told ABC30. “He looked at me and said, ‘You’re next.’”

Cooper Rider said she ran out the front door to the next-door neighbors.

McCann had gone to the Clovis Police Department on Friday, requesting a civil standby as he went to the residence to retrieve some personal property because he had moved out of the home, Clovis Police Capt. Tom Roberts said at a news conference Sunday.

NEWSLETTER: Get the day’s top headlines from Times Editor Davan Maharaj >>

Roberts said McCann “was cooperative, seeking our help in recovering some property.”

Officers went with him to the house, where he picked up personal effects, “had a short interaction” with someone there and then left, Roberts said.

Early Saturday, a woman called police to report the stabbings. Roberts would not confirm the woman’s relationship to the victims or suspect but said police were concerned for her safety.

Wood said both of the women lived at the house where their bodies were found.

McCann is believed to have fled Clovis in a 16-foot white Penske moving truck. Authorities in Paso Robles, more than 100 miles from the crime scene, found the truck Saturday night, Roberts said.

On Tuesday, Clovis police said in a statement that McCann abandoned the truck “in the same neighborhood of a family member of the victim’s.” He then is believed to have broken into the relative’s home and stolen a gray and tan 15-speed mountain bicycle, which he fled on, police said.

“He is on the run, he is very dangerous and we really need everyone’s help,” Roberts said, adding that McCann may be armed.

Roberts said that there was some concern that McCann would leave the country. Police, he said, have “taken precautions to address that.”

McCann is described as 6 foot 2, weighing about 220 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. He has a strong British accent, authorities said.

Anyone with information has been asked to call the Clovis Police Department at (559) 324-2800.

The homicides are the first and second of the year in Clovis, Wood said.

brittny.mejia@latimes.com

hailey.branson@latimes.com

Twitter: @brittny_mejia and @haileybranson

ALSO

In another sign the drought may be easing, MWD ends water limits

Three Long Beach teens accused of plotting to kill fetus

Diver goes missing during abalone expedition off California coast