District Attorney Files Murder Charges Against Santa Barbara Man for Murder of his 72-Year-Old Mother

Santa Barbara County District Attorney John T. Savrnoch announced that charges have been filed against Christopher Van Vlack, a 32-year-old resident of Santa Barbara for the murder of his mother on September 28, 2025.

Van Vlack is charged with First Degree Murder of his 72-year-old mother, Lynn Areno, with Premeditation and Deliberation, and alleges the Special Circumstances that the murder was committed by means of lying in wait and/or for financial gain.

On Sunday at approximately 7:33 p.m., deputies responded to the 5500-block of Armitos Avenue for a welfare check on Areno. When deputies arrived, they discovered Areno was deceased.

Deputies quickly detained her son, Van Vlack, at the scene. Detectives do not believe there are any outstanding suspects, and the investigation remains ongoing. The cause and manner of death are pending further investigation.

Public court records show Van Vlack had a history of criminal convictions including driving under the influence, drug possession, firearms, and attempting to annoy or molest a minor. He was released from jail earlier this year.

Van Vlack was arraigned in Department 8 of the Santa Barbara Superior Court on October 1st. He is currently in custody at the Santa Barbara County Jail and is being held without bail.