UPDATE: Manteca Woman Stabbed To Death; Son Accused

MANTECA (CBS13) -- A 55-year-old Manteca woman allegedly murdered by her son on Halloween died from multiple stab wounds, police said Wednesday.

Manteca police spokesman Jason Hensley confirmed that Kathleen McGehee was killed by several stab wounds to the torso.

Dawson McGehee, 26, was arrested early Tuesday morning after the body of his 55-year-old mother was found on Halloween night at her home on Golden Pond Drive in Manteca.

Police say they were called to Kathleen McGehee's home about 6:13 p.m. on Monday night to conduct a welfare check.

Kathleen's eldest son, Justin, described his mother as a caring woman who worked as an advocate for the abused.

"She was always pouring her life into people," he said outside his parents' home Tuesday afternoon.

When asked about his younger brother turned suspected killer, Justin declined comment.

"I really shouldn't go into that right now," he said. "It's better if I let time pass on that kind of thing."

Police got the call for help on Halloween night. They say family members hadn't heard from Kathleen so they asked officers to head to the Golden Pond Drive home to check on the woman.

Once inside, cops made the gruesome discovery.

"They were able to make entry to the house and that's when they discovered our victim," a Manteca police spokesman said.

Police pulled over and arrested Dawson early Tuesday morning not far from the crime scene.

Police say Dawson was living at the home with his mother and father, who is away in China on a business trip.

People on the quiet block had a hard time comprehending why anyone would want Kathleen dead.

"She's very nice, very sweet lady," one neighbor said.

Dawson is being held without bail at the San Joaquin County Jail on murder charges.