Los Angeles

Man Faces Capital Murder Charges in Slaying of 76-Year-Old Woman Whose Body Was Found in Backyard

Heber Enoc Diaz, 27, is set to be arraigned Friday in connection with the April 9 killing of Chyong Jen Tsai.

Capital murder, burglary and robbery charges were filed Tuesday against a Pasadena man accused of killing a 76-year-old Arcadia woman whose body was found two weeks ago by a construction crew in her backyard.

Heber Enoc Diaz, 27, is set to be arraigned Friday in connection with the April 9 killing of Chyong Jen Tsai. Diaz is charged with one count each of murder, elder or dependent adult abuse resulting in death, first-degree residential burglary and second-degree robbery, along with two counts of second-degree burglary.

The murder charge includes the special circumstance allegations of murder during the commission of a robbery and murder during the commission of a burglary.

Prosecutors have yet to decide whether to seek the death penalty against Diaz, who has been held without bail since he was arrested last Friday by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies as he was leaving his home.

The charges include allegations that he used a hammer, jab saw and box cutter in the commission of all but one of the crimes he's accused of committing -- a March 19 burglary.

Tsai died from the "combined effects of multiple sharp force injuries, multiple blunt trauma and asphyxia," according to coroner's records. Her 2005 Lexus RX 300 was stolen from her home in the 300 block of East Forest Avenue and was recovered last Thursday night in the 900 block of Colorado Boulevard in Los Angeles.

Last week, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger recommended a $20,000 reward for information leading to whoever killed Tsai.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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