COSTA MESA, Calif. (Oct. 14, 2025) – The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) has made a homicide arrest after a woman found bleeding and unresponsive in a motel room on Monday passed away.
On Oct. 13, 2025, at approximately 6:00 a.m., CMPD and Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue were dispatched to a motel room in the 1500 block of South Coast Drive regarding a woman who was bleeding.
They arrived to find an unresponsive 32-year-old woman and immediately began to render aid. She was transported to a nearby hospital where she ultimately died. CMPD officers arrested Max Blumencranz, 31, Costa Mesa, at the scene for homicide.
The cause of death and the nature of how the victim and the arrestee knew each other are still under investigation. The victim has been identified as Yu Wang from Laguna Niguel. Detectives are diligently investigating this case and to protect its integrity CMPD will not release any further details.
CMPD will submit their case file to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration. Anyone who has information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Sergeant Jacobi at 714-754-5352, jjacobi@costamesaca.gov or Detective Jones 714-754-4873, cjones@costamesaca.gov.
Based on California law and recent cases in Orange County, here are the potential penalties Max Blumencranz could face if convicted of homicide:
- First-Degree Murder:
- 25 years to life in state prison.
- Life without parole if aggravating circumstances apply (e.g., lying in wait, use of explosives, or multiple victims).
- Death penalty is technically legal but currently under a moratorium in California.
- Second-Degree Murder:
- 15 years to life in state prison.
- 25 years to life if the victim was a peace officer.
- Life without parole may apply if the defendant has prior murder convictions or used a firearm in a particularly reckless way.
- Sentencing Enhancements:
- Use of a weapon, prior convictions, or committing the crime during another felony can increase the sentence.
- California’s “Three Strikes Law” may apply if Blumencranz has prior serious or violent felony convictions.
- Manslaughter (if charges are reduced):
- Voluntary manslaughter: 3 to 11 years in state prison.
- Involuntary manslaughter: 2 to 4 years in state prison.
- These are less severe than murder but still serious felony charges.
The final charges and penalties will depend on:
- The outcome of the investigation.
- Whether the killing was premeditated or occurred in the heat of the moment.
- Any plea deals or mitigating circumstances.
- The decision of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
The post The Costa Mesa Police have arrested a man for murdering a woman at a motel first appeared on New Santa Ana.