Sarah Alden Obituary, Death – Funeral arrangements are pending for Sarah Alden, a 53-year-old woman who was brutally attacked nearly two months ago near the Venice Canals. Alden, who had been in a coma since the April 6 assault, was declared brain-dead on Monday and taken off life support on Friday after her organs were donated.
Alden was one of two women attacked that evening. The suspect, 29-year-old Anthony Francisco Jones, was arrested in San Diego last month. He faces charges including two counts of forcible rape, sexual penetration by force, mayhem, torture, attempted murder, and sodomy by force. With Alden’s death, Jones could potentially be charged with murder.
The second victim, 54-year-old Mary Klein, remains hospitalized with severe injuries, including a wired jaw due to the attack. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the assaults occurred on the night of April 6. Alden was attacked around 10:30 p.m. on Strongs Drive, struck from behind with a blunt object and left unconscious. An hour later, Klein was similarly attacked while walking near the Sherman Canal.
Alden, a mother of two sons, was in the process of relocating to Venice at the time of the attack. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with funeral expenses. The page notes that Alden was moving from Massachusetts to meet friends for breakfast on April 7 to share her relocation plans. She had a passion for sunrises on the East Coast and sunsets on the West Coast, and she loved her two sons and her animals. Alden also had a talent for vintage jewelry, which she sold on roseark.com. Friends describe her as someone who was looking to start a new chapter in her life when her journey was tragically cut short.
Jones, who is being held without bail, is accused of committing the crime during a kidnapping, targeting multiple victims, and causing great bodily harm. He faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted. Jones has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and his next court appearance is scheduled for June 11 at the Airport Branch Courthouse.