Construction Worker Accused In Arcadia Grandmother's Homicide

ARCADIA, CA —A construction worker faces six felony counts, including capital murder, in the death of Chyong Jen Tsai of Arcadia. Heber Enoc Diaz, 27, a Pasadena resident accused in Tsai's death, was scheduled to be arraigned this week. His arraignment was rescheduled until Aug. 28, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. This is the third rescheduling of the arraignment, according to the DA's office.

Diaz is being held without bail, and if convicted as charged, he faces a maximum of life in state prison without parole.

"A decision on whether to seek the death penalty would be made at a later date," the LA DA's office spokesperson said.

Also charged are Luise Alonso Cruz Gaitan of Altadena and Isis Odina Villalobos of Pasadena, who faces a felony count of accessory after the fact.

On Apr. 19, Tsai was killed during a violent robbery and burglary of her home, according to a LADA spokesperson.

"Diaz had been employed by a contractor doing renovations at Tsai's home, but was no longer working there when the crimes occurred," Deputy District Attorney Miriam Avalos of the Elder Abuse Unit said in release. "Diaz allegedly was burglarizing Tsai's garage when he encountered the victim and killed her," Avalos has alleged.

Tsai died from the "combined effects of multiple sharp force injuries, multiple blunt trauma and asphyxia," according to coroner's records.

Her 2005 Lexus RX 300, stolen from her home on the 300 block of East Forest Avenue, was recovered in the 900 block of Colorado Boulevard. Investigators arrested Diaz one day after the car was found, as he was leaving his home, authorities disclosed.

Gaitan and Villalobos each face up to three years in county jail if convicted as charged.