Los Altos Woman Wore Bubble Wrap Under Jumpsuit When She Attacked Husband

The Los Altos woman accused of stabbing her husband several times with a knife at their jointly owned business in Redwood City last week, went to the encounter clad in Bubble Wrap underneath a mechanic's jumpsuit, the San Mateo District Attorney said during her arraignment.

Laura Jean Wenke, 50, who was arraigned in  Monday, is accused of first-degree attempted murder.

The couple, who had been separated for about a year, were undergoing a difficult divorce, and Wenke was unhappy that her husband had a girlfriend, the district attorney said.

Details of what happened at their construction business on 36 Laurel St. were revealed during her appearance in court. The business, which lists Randall Wenke as president and Laura Wenke as vice president, was the scene of the attack.

"The case was charged as a first-degree attempted murder, based on information we currently have," said Deputy District Attorney Sharon K. Cho.

Wenke allegedly parked her vehicle directly in front of the window that looks in on the office and attacked him with a stun gun while he was working on a computer, according to the district attorney.

While he was reeling from the stun gun, she stabbed him several times in the neck and chest, the district attorney said. The husband has a $2 million life insurance policy, and Laura Wenke is the beneficiary, the district attorney noted.

The arraignment has been continued to Oct. 4 where Laura Wenke is expected to enter a plea. She is being held on a no-bail bond. The victim has been released from the hospital.

The Wenkes had lived for several years on a quiet street on Country Club Drive in unincorporated Los Altos. Neighbors often saw Laura Wenke going to and from Loyola school, accompanying her son on foot while her son rode his bicycle.

Neighbors who were aware of her arrest had conferred about how to help. One had put out the garbage cans and fed the cats. A next-door neighbor, who did not want to be identified, said he liked both of the Wenkes and was "saddened" by the turn of events.