Audrey Carey of Quebec a victim of a killing spree, San Francisco police say

Three young people booked on murder warrants in the shooting death of a yoga teacher in Northern California are also suspected of killing a 23-year-old Quebec woman in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.

The trio have been arrested in connection with the death of Steve Carter several hundred kilometres north in Portland, after authorities allegedly tracked them traveling in the victim's car. His body was found along a scenic hiking trail 30 kilometres north of San Francisco.

• Audrey Carey, 23-year-old Quebec woman, found slain in Golden Gate Park

The suspects, identified as 23-year-old Morrison Haze Lampley, 24-year-old Sean Michael Angold and 18-year-old Lila Scott Alligood, will be arraigned in Oregon on Friday.

Late Thursday, Sgt. Michael Andraychak of the San Francisco Police Department told that city's Chronicle newspaper that the trio will also eventually be charged with the robbery and murder of Audrey Carey, who was from St-Jean-sur-Richelieu,about 50 kilometres southeast of Montreal, and found dead Oct. 3.

"Audrey Carey's property, linking the suspects to the Golden Gate Park homicide, was found in the suspects' possession when they were taken into custody in Oregon," Andraychak said.

Carey was found suffering blunt force trauma to the head early on Oct. 3. It is believed she attended the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, which was held at Golden Gate Park.

Two days later, a hiker found Carter's body on a trail in Fairfax, Calif. Carter was still holding the leash of his dog, which was also shot. The Doberman pinscher is expected to recover.

Carter drove to the trail, and his 2003 Volkswagen station wagon was gone when police showed up. Using GPS technology, Marin County sheriff's investigators tracked the car to Portland.

Authorities have said it did not appear the suspects knew Carter. Marin County Sheriff's Lt. Doug Pittman said it was unclear if Carter might have been targeted for his car or other belongings.

Carter's wife, who is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer, said in an online posting that she is "beyond devastated."

The three suspects will be extradited to California as early as next week.