Woman in coma after Venice canals attack taken off life support, murder charge added – Daily News

Sarah Alden, 53, was taken off life support on May 24, 2024. She had been in a coma since an attack on the canals of Venice on April 6, 2024. Her alleged attacker – who is also accused of attacking another woman – is now charged with murder. (Image from GoFundMe)

On Thursday evening, there will be a candlelight vigil in memory of Sarah Alden, one of two women who were brutally beaten and sexually assaulted on the canals of Venice more than two months ago.

Alden, 53, had been in a coma since the April 6 attack and was declared brain dead last month. Friends said life support was taken off May 24 after her organs were removed for donation.

The alleged perpetrator, 29-year-old Anthony Francisco Jones, was arrested a few days after the attacks in San Diego and charged with two counts of rape and one count each of sexual abuse by use of force, assault, torture, attempted murder and sodomy by use of force. After Alden’s death, the district attorney’s office announced that Jones had also been charged with murder.

“Our deepest sympathies go out to the victim’s family and friends during this unimaginably tragic time,” District Attorney George Gascón said in a May 28 statement announcing the murder charges. “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.”

According to Los Angeles police and prosecutors, the first attack occurred on April 6 at around 10:30 p.m. in the 2700 block of Strongs Drive, where Alden was attacked from behind and struck with a blunt object, rendering her unconscious. The suspect attacked another woman in a similar manner about an hour later as she was walking near Sherman Canal. That woman also suffered serious injuries but survived.