California man held on $1,000 bail before stabbing wife

Concord police arrested Thomas John Iovenitti after he stabbed his wife, Alisha Iovenitti, to death inside their home on Friday, Oct. 23. The 40-year-old man was already facing charges in a separate domestic violence case at the time of the killing.

Contra Costa County prosecutors stated that Iovenitti was arrested in May for multiple offenses. These included assault with a deadly weapon, assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury, corporal injury to a spouse, and false imprisonment. A judge set his bail at $1,000 days after the initial arrest.

The court also issued stay-away orders prohibiting Iovenitti from contacting his wife or returning to the family residence. He was released from jail while that case remained pending. The district attorney's office noted that the bail amount was $1,000.

At 8:05 p.m. on Oct. 23, dispatchers received a 911 call reporting a disturbance between a man and a woman at the Concord residence. The caller indicated the man was armed with a knife. Officers arrived and attempted to contact the occupants. When they received no answer, they forced entry into the home.

Inside, officers found a man and a woman with multiple stab wounds. Paramedics attempted to save the woman, who was identified as Alisha Iovenitti, 39. She died at the scene. An online fundraiser for the children confirmed that she was the mother of three, including 9-year-old twins and a 10-year-old son.

Iovenitti is currently in custody without bail. He is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 29 years to life in prison. The children are being cared for by family members and close friends.

The fundraiser stated that the family unit is working to provide the children with a stable home, counseling, and normal routines.