On Monday, a Pasadena man was found guilty of the horrific murder of a 76-year-old lady whose body was discovered in her Altadena backyard and was given a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Her house had been constructed by the man.
For what the judge described as a “brutal, heinous, violent attack” against Chyong Jen Tsai, Heber Enoc Diaz, 33, received a sentence.
First-degree murder charges for the April 9, 2019 crime were part of Diaz’s punishment, along with special circumstance counts of murder during the commission of a robbery or attempted robbery and murder during the commission of a burglary or attempted burglary.
He was accused of committing the crime himself with a hammer, drywall saw, and box cutter.
Nancy Tsai, one of the victim’s children, made an emotional speech in court on Monday, claiming that her mother “lived a life of frugality” and “saved every, every penny” to proceed with the construction project.
She mentioned that her mother fed the construction workers breakfast every day. She claimed that Diaz “devastated our family” and “stole my mom’s dream to live her life out” in her house.
On November 7, Diaz was found guilty of first-degree murder. During the trial, Deputy District Attorney Miriam Avalos informed jurors that the woman had been stabbed several times, had had two cuts to her throat, and had injuries consistent with being struck with a hammer and strangled.
Diaz was still employed at the property when he was involved in another break-in around three weeks prior, the prosecutor informed the jury.
Diaz’s lawyer retorted that his client just went back to the workplace “with the intention of stealing tools.”
If Diaz was intending to steal heavy tools, why would he ride a bicycle to the house? The prosecution asked, “The only reason would be if he were going to steal Tsai’s Lexus.” Her car was discovered approximately three miles from Diaz’s residence following the crime.
Ten days later, Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies captured Diaz, who was connected to the murder by DNA evidence and cellphone records. Since then, he has stayed in prison.
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