Former Austintown man charged with murder

Staff report

Costa Mesa, Calif.

A man formerly of Austintown is accused of murdering his live-in girlfriend in their California home.

Thomas M. Wilhelm, 48, of Costa Mesa, Calif., is charged with murder in the shooting death of the woman he had been in a relationship with for about three years, according to Costa Mesa police. The victim’s name was withheld pending notification of her family.

The victim was found just before 6:30 p.m. July 8 inside the couple’s residence on Redwood Avenue. Gunshots were reported prior to police arrival, and officers reported hearing one gunshot before entering the home to find the victim with wounds to the chest.

She was treated at the scene and died a short time later at a California hospital.

Police arrested Wilhelm, a former Austintown resident, in the backyard of the residence. According to police, he had confronted the victim over differences pertaining to a business they shared.

Wilhelm is being held in Orange County Jail on $1 million bond.