Construction worker convicted in murder of Arcadia woman – NBC Los Angeles

A construction worker has been convicted of killing a 76-year-old woman during a burglary at her Arcadia home in 2019.

Heber Enoc Diaz faces life in prison after being found guilty on all charges: one count of murder with special circumstance allegations that the crime was committed during a robbery and a burglary; two counts of second-degree burglary; one felony each: first-degree residential burglary, second-degree robbery and elder abuse.

The jury concluded that the special circumstance charges applied to both first-degree murder and aggravated assault because the victim, Chyong Jen Tsai, was over 70 years old. Tsai died from the “combined effects of multiple sharp force injuries, multiple blunt trauma injuries and asphyxia.” ” according to coroner's records.

Authorities said Diaz used a hammer, a jigsaw and a box cutter in the attack.

Diaz was employed by a contractor who was renovating Tsai's home. He had broken into the house a month earlier, on March 19, but Tsai was not present at the time.

“Chyong Jen Tsai was killed during a break-in at her own home – a place where she should be safe and secure,” said District Attorney George Gascón. “This crime is particularly heartbreaking because Ms. Tsai was at home when she encountered an intruder. Our sincerest condolences go out to Ms. Tsai’s family who has suffered an unimaginable loss.”

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 16 at Department 128 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.