Deputy Dies 1 Week After Severe Beating

A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy died Saturday at a Lynwood hospital, a week after he suffered critical head injuries in a beating outside his Norwalk home, officials said.

Gilbert Madrigal, 45, was pronounced dead at 2:45 p.m. at St. Francis Medical Center. He was attacked Aug. 16 while talking to a neighbor, Monica Lujan. Also a target of the attack, Lujan, 26, died at the scene.

Lujan’s estranged husband, Reuben Lujan, 29, was arrested after the incident and is being held without bail on suspicion of murder.

Madrigal was a 25-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department who was assigned to the Court Services Division. He lived two doors down from the Lujan family and was off duty when the attack took place.

Family members said Monica Lujan had filed for divorce two weeks before the attack. Officials said Reuben Lujan had been harassing his wife since they were separated in May. He was arrested in July on suspicion of threatening her but was released after posting bail. Family members said a judge denied Monica Lujan’s request for a restraining order.

Madrigal is survived by his mother and father, Frances and Ventura Madrigal.