Woman Gets Prison in Slaying of Roommate

A Van Nuys woman who fatally shot her disabled roommate and then set the victim’s body on fire was sentenced Friday to 17 years to life in prison.

Nancy Crue, 44, was sentenced in Van Nuys Superior Court after she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder with a firearm in the Oct. 7, 1989, slaying of 39-year-old Carole Hix, whom Crue cared for.

Several of Hix’s relatives and friends watched tearfully as Crue was sentenced by Judge Michael J. Farrell. They wore buttons with Hix’s photograph and the words “Justice for Carole” printed on them.

Crue and Hix had been close friends and on-and-off roommates. The exact motive for the slaying is unknown, though the two were known to have had disputes, Los Angeles County Deputy Dist. Atty. Jay A. Lipman said earlier this month.

Hix’s body was found in her bedroom by firefighters called to a fire in her apartment in the 15800 block of Vanowen Street. Her body had been burned, but investigators determined that she had been shot to death before being set on fire.

Crue was allowed to plead guilty to second-degree murder because the case did not include strong evidence of a motive or premeditation, Lipman said. He said the victim’s family also approved the plea agreement.