Son charged with murder in killing of schoolteacher
SAN JOSE » A longtime San Jose elementary school teacher has died from injuries allegedly inflicted last week by her adult son, who has been charged with murder, authorities said.
According to San Jose police, 35-year-old Ryan Garner assaulted his mother, 57-year-old Cynthia Mykkanen, Thursday afternoon at the home they shared on Cortese Circle in the city’s east foothills. Police say Garner then drove his injured mother to the emergency room at nearby Regional Medical Center of San Jose, where he left her before driving away.
Medical personnel at the hospital contacted police, and later told officers that Mykkanen was put on life support but not expected to survive her injuries.
Police launched an investigation, and identified Garner as a suspect, Officer Gina Tepoorten said. The same day, they went to the family home and located what they believe was the crime scene. That night, officers spotted Garner driving in the area of Highway 101 and Blossom Hill Road, and conducted a traffic stop.
Officers used a police dog to subdue Garner, who suffered at least one dog bite, Tepoorten said. He was later arrested and booked on suspicion of attempted murder.
Monday afternoon, Mykkanen was taken off life support, Tepoorten said. Tuesday, Garner was arraigned on a murder charge in connection with his mother’s death. According to Santa Clara County court records, Mykkanen filed for a domestic-violence restraining order against her son in 2006.
Mykkanen is listed as a teacher at Painter Elementary School in the Alum Rock Union School District. In 2017, she was featured in a Mercury News Wishbook story highlighting the Youth Science Institute and its camps and field trips for grade-school children.
Alum Rock school district officials did not immediately offer comment on Mykkanen’s death as of Tuesday evening.
The death marks the 21st homicide of the year in San Jose.
Anyone with information about the case can contact Detective Sgt. T.J. Lewis or Detective Brian Meeker in the SJPD homicide unit at 408-277-5283 or leave a tip with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at svcrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.