Family and friends are mourning the loss of an Arroyo Grande woman found dead inside her home Friday.
There are still many questions surrounding 77-year-old Jeanine Vore's death, but loved ones are remembering her for her kind spirit, love for animals and the outdoors.
“She lived life on her own terms, she loved her daughter and her animals and this little ranch was her piece of paradise,” Madeline Royal, a friend of Vore, said. “She lived every day to the fullest."
Royal became close with Vore while taking care of Vore’s animals on her property on Chamisal Lane in Arroyo Grande.
Royal, who lives on the property, talked with Vore frequently and says she will forever remember her last conversation with her friend.
"The last conversation we actually had was a couple of days before she passed and we were both looking out at the ocean talking about what a beautiful day it was and how blessed we were,” Royal said.
Royal learned about her friend’s passing when detectives knocked on her door Friday night.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office launched a suspicious death investigation after deputies, who were responding to a report of a trespass, found the 77-year-old deceased in her home shortly after 5 p.m.
Hours later, 18-year-old Kayonie Eliaz Mendibles from Fresno was arrested on suspicion of murder and later booked on suspicion of murder.
“We don't know of any connection with this person, but I'm assuming it was random or somebody that she saw and talked to for a second. I don't know and we may never know,” Royal said.
Royal said Vore spent Thanksgiving locally with a friend, but she doesn’t believe anyone had contact with her on Friday.
Vore was a competitor and fan of Mule Days in Bishop and a friend from her group of 150 participants remembers 25 years of celebrations together with her.
“We celebrated our birthday's a few days apart. She would either come up to my house or I would go to hers and we would go out to dinner,” Vore’s friend, George Duke, said.
Duke and Vore were part of the "Duke Group," who went every year to Mule Days with about 150 other group members.
Like many others, Duke is shocked and saddened to hear of her passing.
“We had a lot of fun, we traveled together a couple of times, she’s a good person,” Duke said.
Vore also made a name for herself in the surfing community.
“Janine was one of the original surfer girls when it became popular back in the 50s and she was endorsed by some of the surfboard companies,” Royal said.
Detectives remain tight-lipped about the details and motive of the killing.
As of Monday, Mendibles remained in custody at San Luis Obispo County Jail.
Charges have yet to be filed in the case.
