Construction Worker Charged in Slaying of Woman, 74
- Share via
Capital murder charges were filed Friday against a construction worker accused of beating an elderly Porter Ranch widow to death Wednesday.
Mario Sanchez Navarro, 26, was being held without bail pending arraignment Monday afternoon on charges that he killed 74-year-old Helen Forkner after burglarizing her condominium and trying to rape her.
The woman’s body was found dumped in a steep canyon near Porter Ranch.
Prosecutors said Navarro, a Pacoima resident, pried off a window screen to enter Forkner’s home. Police were summoned when neighbors heard noises coming from the condominium. Navarro was arrested about 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, when police found him hiding in a brushy area behind the condominium complex, Dvar said.
Navarro was charged with murder, with the special allegation that the killing was committed during a burglary, attempted rape and oral copulation. He also is charged with separate counts of burglary, attempted rape and oral copulation.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
