Woman, Boyfriend Plead Guilty to Killing Stepfather

A North Hollywood woman and her boyfriend pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree murder for killing the woman’s stepfather to get his $500,000 estate.

Mary Anne Hayden, 46, and Robert Louis Holmes, 25, both of North Hollywood, were charged with murdering Edward Gay, 72, of North Hollywood, an accomplished tap-dance instructor who was stabbed to death in his garage on the night of Sept. 22.

During the couple’s preliminary hearing in October, police testified that Holmes told them that Hayden was upset because her stepfather was considering changing his will, which named her as the sole heir.

Holmes said he gave Hayden his knife Sept. 22, and that she planned to kill Gay, police testified. Holmes told investigators that Hayden then left their apartment and returned later that night to say that “the deed had been accomplished,” Detective Philip Sowers testified.

Hayden and Holmes called police the next morning and said they found Gay’s body at his home in the 17200 block of Tiara Street. They were arrested two days later.

Because of the conviction, Hayden will be prohibited from collecting on Gay’s estate, Deputy Dist. Atty. Harold Lynn said.

Hayden and Holmes had been charged with first-degree murder with the special circumstances of killing for financial gain and while lying in wait, which carry a potential sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Under the plea bargain, San Fernando Superior Court Judge Joyce Kennard is scheduled to sentence them April 23 to 15 ye a rs to life, Lynn said. The couple will be eligible for parole after serving 7 1/2 years, he said.