Los Angeles, Ca
Victim in 'heinous' Venice Canal sexual assault taken off life support
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.
Los Angeles, Ca
Help needed as injured animals arrive at Pasadena Humane Society due to wildfire
As the deadly Eaton Fire continues burning in Los Angeles County, Pasadena Humane is seeking help as a large number of animals are being evacuated.
Over 100 animals arrived at the organization on Wednesday, and workers expected more drop-offs to come in over the next few days.
“Due to the proximity of the evacuation zones, we are also making preparations to evacuate the shelter, if needed,” workers said. “At this time, all animals are safe and unharmed at the shelter.”
Many of the animals arriving at the shelter were found with burn injuries.
Shelter workers said critical supplies are needed due to the influx of animals including food, water bowls, extra large crates and blankets. Anyone able to donate these items can drop them off at the donation bin located at the shelter’s front parking lot.
On Wednesday, workers said kennel space was filling up quickly and evacuees who need emergency boarding for their pets can drop them off at spcaLA at 5026 W. Jefferson Blvd. in Los Angeles. Large animals should be taken to the L.A. Equestrian Center at 480 Riverside Dr. in Burbank.
Pasadena Humane Animal Control Officers will continue working in the field, assisting with animal evacuations, while Pasadena Humane staff are working round-the-clock at the shelter to care for the animals of displaced families.
“We are currently coordinating with Cal Animals and ASPCA disaster response to mobilize more resources to assist with the situation,” staff said. “We anticipate getting in even more animals who are in need of emergency medical care as the fires continue.”
As shelter space is limited, anyone who can foster a dog or cat for at least a week is urged to email the Pasadena Humane Foster Office or visit in person.
Donations to provide emergency resources to animals affected by the wildfires can be made here. Anyone who finds injured wildlife can text 626-344-1129 or call Animal Control at 626-792-7151 ext. 970.
Los Angeles, Ca
Six Flags Magic Mountain closed due to extreme winds
(KTLA) — Six Flags Magic Mountain will remain closed on Wednesday due to high winds in the area.
Tickets purchased for Wednesday will be honored on “any other regular operating day” until Dec. 31, the theme park announced on Instagram.
Universal Studios Hollywood and CityWalk also chose not to welcome guests due to fires and extreme wind conditions in the region. Officials haven’t announced if tickets will be honored on future days.
An unprecedented windstorm that started Tuesday has led to multiple fires burning across the region, including the Palisades Fire in L.A.’s Pacific Palisades neighborhood, which has grown to over 5,000 acres.
Elsewhere, the Eaton Fire near Altadena has grown to over 10,000 acres and has claimed the lives of two people. Additionally, the Hurst Fire near Sylmar has burned more than 500 acres.
So far, Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm haven’t announced any closures or reduced hours of operation due to the wildfires.
Los Angeles, Ca
Palisades Fire in Los Angeles scorches 2,921 acres; many homes burned
Tens of thousands of residents in the western Los Angeles area remain under mandatory evacuation orders Wednesday morning after a wind-driven wildfire exploded in size Tuesday and swept through communities in the Pacific Palisades.
The Palisades Fire was first reported around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 1100 block of North Piedra Morada Drive. By evening, the fire had exploded to more than 2,900 acres with no containment and was expected to keep spreading amid hurricane-force Santa Ana winds.
The latest CalFire updates can be found here.
There was no initial estimate for the number of structures damaged or destroyed. However, news footage showed dozens of homes and other structures ablaze.
Evacuations were ordered for the entire Palisades community down to the Pacific Ocean, according to CalFire. During a Tuesday afternoon press conference, officials said more than 10,000 homes in Pacific Palisades and Malibu were affected by the evacuation order. Evacuation warnings also extended into areas of Santa Monica and Calabasas.
An evacuation shelter for people and pets was established at the Westwood Recreation Center at 1350 S. Sepulveda Boulevard.
Dozens of Los Angeles County schools will be closed Wednesday due to the fire. A comprehensive list of closures can be found here.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Pacific Palisades is located about 10 miles from Malibu, where the Franklin Fire burned more than 4,000 acres and burned several homes after erupting during similar windy conditions in December.
Palisades Fire Resources: LAFD Alerts | CALFIRE Incident Page | LAFD on X
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