Victim of heinous sexual assault on Venice Canal is taken off life support

One of the victims of a brutal sexual assault on the canals of Venice was taken off life support on Friday evening after being in a coma for nearly two months.

Sarah Alden, 53, was declared brain dead earlier this week. She had planned to move across the country from Massachusetts to Venice Beach, California, a dream she had worked hard for.

Ready for a new life, she had just signed a lease for an apartment in Venice and was walking along the famous canals on April 6 when she was brutally raped and attacked.

A second victim, 54-year-old Mary Klein, was also attacked that night. She suffered serious injuries and believed the attacker wanted to kill her.

Police confirmed that both attacks had a “sexual component.” The suspect, Anthony Francisco Jones, 29, was arrested for the assaults a few days later, on April 11.

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

Although Klein survived her attack, Alden remained in a coma. On Friday evening, friends and family surrounded Alden in the hospital as she was taken off life support.

“It’s very sudden and shocking,” said Cynthia King, Alden’s friend. “She was extremely intelligent, educated and witty. She was stolen from us.”

In early May, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced that charges had been filed in the case.

“The level of brutality was very reprehensible,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón.

Her relatives are still devastated and remember Alden as a loving mother of two sons.

“I feel like I’m in another reality,” King said. “This isn’t even real.”

Alden’s family said the woman’s organs would be donated to save the lives of others. The attacks have left Venice residents stunned and worried for their safety.

Resident Aimee Nelson said there has been a significant increase in violent crime and neighbors are looking out for each other. One neighbor even equipped her with pepper spray and a stun gun.

“Our neighbors have been asking each other to walk them home. People don’t go out at night anymore because they feel unsafe,” said Ramon Goni, a Venice resident. “A few weeks ago there was a shooting right behind us.”

Some residents told KTLA they thought the canals were a relatively safe area, but are no longer sure.

“It was a little corner that was different from the rest of Venice, far from all the homeless and where the attacks were happening,” said a local resident named Tim. “But I think now (crime) has infiltrated.”

The suspect, Jones, was arrested and charged with rape, torture, attempted murder, assault, sexual penetration by force and sodomy by force.

“Our deepest sympathies go out to the victim’s family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time,” the prosecutor’s office said. “Our office is currently evaluating how we will proceed to ensure that the defendant is held fully accountable for his conduct.”

A GoFundMe campaign to help Alden’s family with medical and funeral expenses can be found here.