Authorities identify homicide victim as former town arborist

The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office has identified the woman who was found fatally stabbed in her home in the 900 block of Valparaiso Avenue in Menlo Park on Wednesday, Dec. 12, as Kathleen Anne Hughes Anderson, 62.

Hughes Anderson worked for Atherton as town arborist for more than 22 years, from November 1989 until she retired in November 2011.

A suspect in her killing has been arrested.

According to a press statement from Atherton Deputy City Manager Theresa DellaSanta, Hughes Anderson played an instrumental role in developing the town’s heritage tree ordinance, helped to designate “Arbor Day” in town, chose trees to be planted around town, assisted the town in achieving its status as a “Tree City” each year, and supported the town’s environmental programs.

“Kathy was very passionate about her work as an arboriculturist and had a profound understanding of tree conservation and removal and landscape development and renovation,” DellaSanta said in the statement.

“Kathy was tremendously respected by Atherton residents. … It was the little things that Kathy performed around Town that residents remember and grew to love about her. Kathy was a beacon of positivity for all who came into contact with her, and her impact on trees in Atherton will carry on for many generations,” the statement said. 

“The few people that were here (working for the town of Atherton) when she was are still in a state of shock,” DellaSanta said in an interview. “She was just extremely well-liked by residents here in town.”

“Kathy will be missed by all whose lives and trees she touched,” Atherton Mayor Bill Widmer said in the statement. On behalf of the City Council and staff, our deepest condolences go out to Kathy’s family and friends.”

In an interview, Widmer said that Hughes Anderson had evaluated trees on his property and worked for the town during his first couple of years on the City Council.

“She was always so very knowledgeable about all different types of plants, specifically trees. She was very caring,” he said.

“Many, many people knew her,” he added.

He said she understood the value of having trees around, wanted to ensure that people took good care of them and had a keen sense for which types of trees would thrive in town.

“She was a joy to have in the city,” he said. “It’s a terrible situation that we’re facing today.”

There are still many unanswered questions about the killing and the circumstances leading to the arrest of a suspect on Wednesday, Dec. 12.

Menlo Park police arrested 36-year-old Francis Wolke, a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, on suspicion of homicide, according to a police department press release. He was taken into custody at Hughes Anderson’s home.

Police received a 911 call at 5:34 p.m. Wednesday from someone who reported that a woman was dead in the house. When officers arrived, they found Hughes Anderson, who was “unresponsive.” She was pronounced dead by Menlo Park Fire Protection District medics, police said.

Wolke was arrested and booked into San Mateo County jail on first-degree murder charges, police said. He had an outstanding arrest warrant from the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office for prowling and possession of narcotics stemming from a 2014 case. Wolke also lived in San Francisco as recently as 2014, police said.

Police said their investigation found that the woman was “murdered by stabbing with an instrument other than a knife,” according to the press release.

Police are still investigating the connection between the Wolke and Hughes Anderson.

Police detectives, along with officials from the the county crime lab and county District Attorney’s Office, took part in the investigation at the home on Wednesday. Valparaiso Avenue between University Drive and Johnson Street was shut down during the investigation.

According to Menlo Park Police Department crime statistics, there hadn’t been a homicide in the city since 2012. That year, there were two.

Hughes Anderson’s husband, Bill (Andy) Anderson, died in 2007 at age 64 due to complications from leukemia, according to an obituary posted online. He was a former owner of Dahl Plumbing and Heating and had worked for SRI and PG&E.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Menlo Park Police Department at 650-330-6300 or the anonymous tip line at 650-330-6395.

Julia Brown contributed to this report.

Kate Bradshaw and Julia Brown write for The Almanac, the sister publication of PaloAltoOnline.com.

Kate Bradshaw and Julia Brown write for The Almanac, the sister publication of PaloAltoOnline.com.

Kate Bradshaw and Julia Brown write for The Almanac, the sister publication of PaloAltoOnline.com.