Upper Lake woman killed in domestic fight

An Upper Lake man was arrested Friday on suspicion of killing a woman in a domestic fight as a deputy tried to stop the assault.

Vanessa Yvette Niko, 35, of Upper Lake, was given first aid but succumbed to her injuries at the home, Lake County sheriff’s Sgt. Corey Paulich said in a statement.

Willy Tujays Timmons, 37, was arrested on suspicion of murder and held on $1 million bail at the Lake County Jail.

The couple, who had three children together, had an “on and off again relationship” with a history of domestic violence, Paulich said.

Deputies were dispatched to the home in the 7800 block of Bridge Arbor Road about 2:15 p.m. Friday for a report of a physical altercation.

The first deputy arrived within approximately 5 minutes and observed through an open bedroom window Timmons assaulting Niko, Paulich said.

“The deputy was able to get the male to stop the assault by using verbal commands,” Paulich said.

Niko’s cause of death is pending an autopsy.