A mother-of-three was allegedly stabbed to death by her husband just six days after filing a restraining order against the man and accusing him of abusing her.

Yahaira Boykins, who lived in Laguna Hills, California, was found dead in her apartment around 2.30pm on Thursday by police performing a wellness check, according to the sheriff's department.

Her neighbors told CBS Los Angeles that they saw her husband Jerel Boykins enter her apartment while she was home with her three boys.

They claim they saw police take the man away in handcuffs.

Scroll down for video

Yahaira Boykins was allegedly stabbed to death by her husband Jerel just six days after filing a restraining order against the man and accusing him of abusing her. She is pictured with her husband and two of her children

The young mother-of-three lived in Laguna Hills, California and was found dead in her apartment around 2.30pm on Thursday, according to the sheriff's department

It's unclear where the children were at the time or where they have been taken to now.

Last week Yahaira asked her husband of four years to move out, and told friends and family he had been physically abusive.

The young woman, who worked as a dental assistant, filed a case of domestic violence against him on September 7.

She also filed a restraining order against the man.

'Sometimes he would tell her, "I'm going to kill you,"' her friend and neighbor Zitlali Korrea told CBS, describing Yahaira as 'like a sister.'

Another friend of the victim who wished to remain anonymous described Jerel as a man with a violent and volatile temper who repeatedly threatened to kill Yahaira.

The friend told KTLA the suspect was transferred to a marine base in North Carolina in July, but continued threatening his wife over the phone.

They said when he returned to Southern California last week he began stalking his wife.

Last week Yahaira asked her husband of four years to move out, and told friends and family he had been physically abusive. The young woman, who worked as a dental assistant, filed a case of domestic violence against him on September 7

Yahaira had three children - two with her current husband, and one with her prior husband. It is not clear where they were at the time of her death or where they are now

The victim's family and friends have said she was stabbed to death, but this has not yet been confirmed by police.

'We have a death investigation that we're conducting,' Lieutenant Fred Thompson told KTLA.

'We're trying to determine exactly what happened.'

Yahaira had three children - two with her current husband, and one with her prior husband.

Friends and family have started a GoFundMe page to pay help pay for funeral expenses.