Carlsbad detectives on Sunday continued to investigate the apparent slashing death of a 43-year-old divorced mother of two teenagers.

Jonathan Scott French, 40, allegedly killed his on-again, off-again girlfriend Jennifer Stark in her Carlsbad home sometime after the two dined together Friday night, Lt. Kelly Cain said Sunday.

French is being held without bail on suspicion of first-degree murder at the Vista jail, booking records show. The Carlsbad resident is a salesman for a medical device company, Cain said.

Witnesses saw French and Stark together at the West Bistro on Avenida Encinas near Cannon Road on Friday night, and the suspect probably drove Stark home after that, Cain said. Detectives found the victim's car at the restaurant Saturday.

Her death was discovered about 11:30 p.m. Friday, after a neighbor noticed an open door at Stark's home in the 6400 block of Camino del Parque and saw her body inside.

Cain said it is not clear exactly when or how Stark died. He said an autopsy will show whether her attacker inflicted any injuries besides the lacerations found on her body.

Cain said several knives possibly involved in the slaying were seized from Stark's home.

French, who lives in the La Costa neighborhood, turned himself in at the Encinitas Sheriff's Station about 4:30 a.m. Saturday, Cain said.

The lieutenant said the suspect has a prior arrest for battery, which was not a case of domestic violence.

French was divorced in San Diego County in 1998, court records show. His ex-wife, reached by phone Sunday, declined comment.

The suspect's first court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday at the Vista Courthouse. Stark worked as court reporter in the courthouse's family law department.

Call staff writer Sarah Gordon at 760-740-3517.

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This story contained incorrect information about the victim's children. Jennifer Stark is survived by a daughter and a son, both teenagers.