Inset: Anthony Francisco Jones (Los Angeles Police Department). Left: Sarah Alden (GoFundMe). Right: Mary Klein (KTLA/YouTube)
Sarah Alden had planned to surprise her friends with the exciting news at a brunch: She had just signed a new lease at a home in “her favorite part of the United States,” Venice Beach, California.
But she never got the chance to tell her friends about the new chapter of her life because the night before the brunch, April 6, Anthony Francisco Jones, 30, attacked her with a liquor bottle and raped her. He also attacked and raped a second woman the same night. About six weeks later doctors declared Alden, 53, brain dead and took her off life support.
On Friday, Jones pleaded no contest to two counts of forcible rape and one count each of murder, sexual penetration by use of force, mayhem, torture and sodomy by use of force, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced. Superior Court Judge Cathryn F. Brougham sentenced Jones to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus 107 years to life in state prison.
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“Our prosecutors fought hard to serve justice today in response to Mr. Anthony Jones’ vile actions, including a brutal murder. Our hearts go out to the victim, the survivor, their families, and the Venice community. The pain and loss experienced by these individuals and their loved ones is horrific, and we extend our deepest empathy and compassion to them during this incredibly difficult time,” Gascón said in a statement.
Authorities described Jones as homeless and cops identified him as a suspect via surveillance video holding the liquor bottle he used in the attacks. Police arrested him a few days after the attack in San Diego.
Alden sold vintage jewelry online, adored animals and had two sons, a GoFundMe said.
“At 53 years old, Sarah was looking to start a new chapter in her journey; to walk a new road. Instead, her life was violently taken from her,” the fundraiser said.
