Murder charges filed after victim died after life support was turned off

The suspect, Anthony Jones, 29, was seen walking in the Venice canal area on April 6, 2024.

A homeless man arrested on suspicion of brutally raping two women in the canals of Venice has been charged with murder after one of the victims died more than a month after the attack.

29-year-old Anthony Francisco Jones is now accused of murder. He is being charged with murder under special circumstances because the crime was committed in the course of a brutal rape and sodomy.

Sarah Alden, 53, was declared brain dead earlier this month and died in hospital after she was taken off life support.

Jones is accused of attacking Alden and 54-year-old Mary Klein in two separate sexual assaults that occurred the night of April 6. Both women were out for an evening stroll, officials and relatives said.

Jones, who is believed to be homeless, was caught on surveillance cameras walking near the canals that night, holding a liquor bottle that investigators say was used in the attacks.

Authorities described the attacks on the two women as “abhorrent” and “reprehensible.”

Alden had just moved to Los Angeles from Massachusetts and had recently signed a lease on the famous canals. Her relatives said she had dreamed of moving to Venice Beach for years.

Klein, who survived the attack, told KTLA from her hospital bed that Jones attacked her from behind and “bashed” her face. Doctors were forced to wire the single mother’s jaw shut. The beating left her with severe injuries and bruises.

Jones was arrested a few days later and police said the crimes were believed to have been “sexually motivated,” although details were limited.

In early May, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced that he had been charged with “two counts of rape, one count of sexual penetration by force, one count of assault, one count of torture and one count of sodomy by force.”

Now, in addition to these other crimes, he is also accused of murder.

“Our deepest sympathies go out to the victim’s family and friends during this unimaginably tragic time,” said District Attorney Gascón. “We are committed to seeking justice for both victims of these heinous crimes. The additional murder charge carries a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, in addition to the life sentences for the previously charged crimes.”

Jones remains in police custody and is expected in court on June 11. Several charges carry a possible life sentence without the possibility of parole.