Bryn P. Spejcher booking photo. | Photo: Ventura County Sheriff’s Department
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman suspected of murdering former Santa Clarita Valley resident Chad O’Melia on Memorial Day, according to authorities.
Bryn P. Spejcher, 27, a Thousand Oaks resident and audiologist, was arrested Thursday at a local hospital for the May 28 stabbing death of O’Melia.
O’Melia, an accountant at a firm in Camarillo, died of multiple stab wounds sustained during an altercation in the early morning hours of Memorial Day. The stabbing took place inside O’Melia’s apartment on Megan Place in Thousand Oaks.
Deputies responded to a call of a domestic disturbance there at about 1:15 a.m. Monday and found O’Melia dead and Spejcher injured, both with multiple stab wounds.
Spejcher and O’Melia had been involved in a dating relationship.
Bryn P. Spejcher
Spejcher had been hospitalized since the homicide to receive treatment for self-inflicted stab wounds.
She was released from the hospital and being booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility Friday afternoon on murder charges, according to Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Captain Garo Kuredjian. Her bail is set at $500,000, he said.
Spejcher is scheduled to appear in court for her arraignment on June 4, Kuredjian said.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office’s Major Crimes Bureau investigated the stabbing, he said.
Bryn P. Spejcher, August 2017
Spejcher is an audiologist at the House Children’s Hearing Center at UCLA, according to social media posts. Her specialty is Otolaryngology with UCLA Health’s Head and Neck Surgery Department.
She earned her Doctor of Audiology degree from the St. Louis’ Washington University School of Medicine, AuD, in 2017, according to her LinkedIn profile. She was an Audiology Doctoral Extern with the Loyola University Health System while studying for her degree.
Originally from Bloomingdale, Illinois, Spejcher earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Augustana College in 2013.
A former Santa Clarita Valley resident who worked at a Valencia accounting firm from 2010 to 2013 was found dead in his apartment in Thousand Oaks on Monday, the victim of an apparent homicide, according to authorities.
A Fillmore resident was arrested late Thursday for murder after investigators learned that the fatal traffic collision he caused resulted from an intentional act, according to a news release Friday from the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.
A Newhall man was arrested in Simi Valley for his alleged involvement in the sale of narcotics to Ventura County residents.
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In addition to that of the victim, this woman just tossed her entire life away. All over a boyfriend spat, apparently. Just leave a relationship…don’t ruin your life over him or her.
I knew Bryn in highschool. Not super well, but enough to know that she ways very kind and I couldn’t imagine her doing this. Granted, it’s been years since I’ve talked to her, but I wonder what could have happened to her to make her do this (if she did).
I don’t know — for some reason this is just kind of hitting me hard, and I wanted to post somewhere that she’s not this evil, malicious person. Or she wasn’t, anyway.
She was in my class at Augustana. She was an absolute sweetheart, and many of my classmates are just purely dumbfounded. Many of us have a heavy heart that such a great person could end up in the middle of this horrible incident. I am very eager to learn more details.
I also knew Bryn in High School and am beyond shocked by this. She was the sweetest and most caring person. We exchanged messages on her birthday in January. I don’t know what happened but my heart goes out to her, her family, him and his family. All around a tragic event.
My niece was very good friends with the victim. She is very sad and said he was a very good person. They met at a dog park three weeks prior to the incident. I feel very sorry for the woman also, her life is ruined. If a relationship gets this crazy, just leave. Don’t lose or ruin your life over it. So sad for all involved.
I agree with SW. Bryn was the sweetest, most caring person I have ever met. This is weighing heavy on me. I don’t know what happened or why but it is extremely sad for all involved.
I played football with Chad O’Melia. To know the type of person he was: thoughtful, selfless, and always put others before himself; just shows how much of an evil monster this woman is. May she rot in jail for life.
So when it comes out that he (a former football player and boxing enthusiast) and/or one of his buddies drugged her (a 5’7″ tall 110-120 lbs) someone’s going to feel pretty stupid, right? Furthermore, I’m not convinced your argument holds any water. How do his previous actions indicate what kind of person she is? When did you play football with Chad? Testimonials from people who knew both the victim and the accused all indicate shock and disbelief.
As family of the victim I believe this is the most horrible case scenario and anyone who has it in themselves to take another life should spend the rest of their life in jail. Chad is the most caring and genuine person I have ever met and would never harm anyone. I am so lucky call him my cousin.
Chad was an amazing person. He always put others before himself and always wanted to exceed at whatever he put his mind to. I am devastated over this horrible incident. Regardless of what happened, no one deserves to be killed. It takes a special type of monster to even be able to achieve that. They both had their whole lives ahead of them. Dating turned Fatal Attraction. She deserves to be in jail for the rest of her life. No one can take the pain away from Chad’s Family, no one!
I was the roommate inside , and I wont ever forget what happened but for yall who still thinks she is innocent she killed him right in front of me , she deserves to be in jail
Terrible
Amazing how a bright young educated attractive women is a monster. Mothers beware. Not a sad story for all. I pray my son never meets a monster in sheep’s clothing
Special Needs Athletes and Peers Sports will host its Food and Wine Tasting with Salt Creek Grille Fundraiser and Blues Music event, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8.
College of the Canyons will host Howard Fisher's Cougar Basketball Camp, with registration for two sessions now open to boys and girls entering third through eighth grade.
The unmistakable sights, sounds and flavors of the Old West are making their way back to William S. Hart Park, 24151 Newhall Ave., Newhall, CA 91321 and you do not have to wait long.
Visit the Santa Clarita Public Library Valencia branch, 10-11 a.m. Monday, April 14 for a paws-itively delightful new program, "Paws to Connect: Adults and Animals."
Special Needs Athletes and Peers Sports will host its Food and Wine Tasting with Salt Creek Grille Fundraiser and Blues Music event, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8.
College of the Canyons will host Howard Fisher's Cougar Basketball Camp, with registration for two sessions now open to boys and girls entering third through eighth grade.
The College of the Canyons women's volleyball program invites girls and boys ages 8-14 to participate in the 2025 COC Summer Volleyball Camp, with two sessions beginning in July.
In its efforts to prevent distracted driving and save lives on our roads, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is reminding all drivers to stay focused, keep their eyes forward and keep their hands on the wheel.
Connect with other businesses and attend the Valley Industry Association After Five networking mixer on Thursday, April 24, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at J Blair Group
At the direction of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, KH Consulting Group is conducting an independent study to identify strengths and challenges of L.A. County’s current governance model and make recommendations for actionable change.
Effective April 2, 2025, The Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is proud to announce that Bob Hope Patriotic Hall has been officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
California State University, Northridge’s top student choreographers and dancers will demonstrate diverse choreographic vision, passionate dancing and powerful performances in “Kinesis: Emerging Choreography,” which will premiere on April 23, at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, April 24, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
WiSH Education Foundation's Over the Edge, the first annual rappelling event to hit the SCV, is waiting for all our adventurous friends to join us by raising funds for our local students through a brand new and exciting opportunity.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is lifting the Ocean Water Advisory due to Fire Impacts from Las Flores State Beach (SMB 1-14) to Santa Monica State Beach (DPH 104 A&B).
The city of Santa Clarita is pleased to present its latest art exhibition, “Saddle Up Santa Clarita,” on view in the First Floor Gallery at City Hall now through May 14.
The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Santa Clarita Valley is calling on community members to rally together for the 27th annual Relay For Life of Santa Clarita Valley, on Saturday, May 3, at Central Park.
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16 Comments
Sad story for all involved.?
In addition to that of the victim, this woman just tossed her entire life away. All over a boyfriend spat, apparently. Just leave a relationship…don’t ruin your life over him or her.
Oooooh
I knew Bryn in highschool. Not super well, but enough to know that she ways very kind and I couldn’t imagine her doing this. Granted, it’s been years since I’ve talked to her, but I wonder what could have happened to her to make her do this (if she did).
I don’t know — for some reason this is just kind of hitting me hard, and I wanted to post somewhere that she’s not this evil, malicious person. Or she wasn’t, anyway.
She was in my class at Augustana. She was an absolute sweetheart, and many of my classmates are just purely dumbfounded. Many of us have a heavy heart that such a great person could end up in the middle of this horrible incident. I am very eager to learn more details.
I also knew Bryn in High School and am beyond shocked by this. She was the sweetest and most caring person. We exchanged messages on her birthday in January. I don’t know what happened but my heart goes out to her, her family, him and his family. All around a tragic event.
Build the wall!
around what?
My niece was very good friends with the victim. She is very sad and said he was a very good person. They met at a dog park three weeks prior to the incident. I feel very sorry for the woman also, her life is ruined. If a relationship gets this crazy, just leave. Don’t lose or ruin your life over it. So sad for all involved.
I agree with SW. Bryn was the sweetest, most caring person I have ever met. This is weighing heavy on me. I don’t know what happened or why but it is extremely sad for all involved.
I played football with Chad O’Melia. To know the type of person he was: thoughtful, selfless, and always put others before himself; just shows how much of an evil monster this woman is. May she rot in jail for life.
So when it comes out that he (a former football player and boxing enthusiast) and/or one of his buddies drugged her (a 5’7″ tall 110-120 lbs) someone’s going to feel pretty stupid, right? Furthermore, I’m not convinced your argument holds any water. How do his previous actions indicate what kind of person she is? When did you play football with Chad? Testimonials from people who knew both the victim and the accused all indicate shock and disbelief.
As family of the victim I believe this is the most horrible case scenario and anyone who has it in themselves to take another life should spend the rest of their life in jail. Chad is the most caring and genuine person I have ever met and would never harm anyone. I am so lucky call him my cousin.
Chad was an amazing person. He always put others before himself and always wanted to exceed at whatever he put his mind to. I am devastated over this horrible incident. Regardless of what happened, no one deserves to be killed. It takes a special type of monster to even be able to achieve that. They both had their whole lives ahead of them. Dating turned Fatal Attraction. She deserves to be in jail for the rest of her life. No one can take the pain away from Chad’s Family, no one!
I was the roommate inside , and I wont ever forget what happened but for yall who still thinks she is innocent she killed him right in front of me , she deserves to be in jail
Terrible
Amazing how a bright young educated attractive women is a monster. Mothers beware. Not a sad story for all. I pray my son never meets a monster in sheep’s clothing