A 71-year-old Orange County woman was in custody Friday morning after authorities say she shot and killed her 96-year-old mother during a domestic dispute.

Christine Reynolds of Rossmoor was taken into custody Thursday at the scene in connection with killing her mother, Gretchen DeStefano, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Authorities say DeStefano was shot during the dispute at their home in the 11700 block of Wallingsford Road and later died. Details about the dispute were not released.

Sheriff’s investigators recovered a handgun, possibly used in the shooting, at the home, officials said.


Reynolds, who is being held in lieu of $1 million bail, is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.

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