One of the victims of a brutal sexual assault along the Venice canals was taken off life support Friday night 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 in California, a dream she had worked hard to achieve.

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

A second victim, Mary Klein, 54, was also attacked that night. She was left severely injured and believed the attacker aimed to kill her.

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

Jones was captured on security cameras walking near the canals that night holding a liquor bottle that investigators said was used in the attacks. He is also believed to be a homeless man.

Although Klein survived her attack, Alden remained in a coma. On Friday night, friends and family surrounded Alden at 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, well-educated and witty. She was stolen from us.”

Earlier in May, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced charges in the case.

“The level of brutality that was engaged in was very reprehensible,” said L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón.

Loved ones remain devastated, remembering Alden as a loving mother of two sons.

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

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

Resident Aimee Nelson said there’s been a notable increase in violent crime and neighbors are watching out for each other. One neighbor even provided her with pepper spray and a stun gun.

“Our neighbors have been asking each other to walk them home, people are avoiding going out at night because they feel unsafe,” said Ramon Goni, a Venice local. “We had an active shooter right behind us a few weeks ago.”

Some residents told KTLA they believed the canals to be a relatively safe area but are no longer certain.

“It was a little pocket that was different from the rest of Venice, away from all the homeless and where the attacks were,” said a resident named Tim. “But now, I think [the crime] has penetrated in.”

The suspect, Jones, was arrested and charged with forcible rape, torture, attempted murder, mayhem, sexual penetration by use of force and sodomy by use of force.

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

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

Barbecue season is sizzling as Memorial Day weekend rolls into the weekend, marking the beginning of summer.

Since 2019, Los Angeles has seen a rise in the number of new barbecue restaurants and pop-ups with each bringing their own rich flavors and unique Southern California influences.

1. Moo’s Craft BBQ

2. Smoke Queen Barbecue

3. AGL Craft Meats

Singer Dinah Jane of Fifth Harmony fame is paying homage to her Southern California and Polynesian roots in her new music video for her song “Ocean Song.”

Jane released the video on Friday morning, just hours after teasing fans that it was on the way.

“The last official music video I released was ‘Heard it All Before’ 5 years ago. I’m so proud of this project ‘Ocean Song.’ Grateful for the many hands that carried me through to execute this material!!! It’s been a long time coming. Can’t wait for y’all to tune in tomorrow. So proud,” she posted to X, formerly Twitter.

For the video, the Santa Ana-born star gathered a group of local women from various Polynesian backgrounds to convene on Aliso Beach in Laguna Beach.

Jane herself is of Polynesian descent. Her background consists of Tongan, Samoan and Fijian ancestry, as well as Danish.

The group of women featured KTLA 5 Senior Entertainment Producer Sarah Maugaotega.

“It was such an honor to watch Dinah come into her own and embrace her culture,” she said of the experience. “She is an inspiration to all of us Polynesian women.”

“The Ocean is Calling… thank you for supporting my personal prayer to my ancestors,” Jane wrote in the YouTube video’s description. “When I was writing this song (in Bali!) it started out as a love song. But as it continued to flow, like water, it evolved into something more personal. This one is for the culture.”

Jane also included her family members and photos of her grandparents who have passed away.

Jane served as the video’s creative director, and it was directed by Brandon Chen and produced by J-Quan Prod Co.

She grew up in Orange County and attended the Orange County School of the Arts. She gained superstardom after being a part of the girl group Fifth Harmony via “The X Factor.” They released singles like “Boss,” “Sledgehammer” and “Worth It.”