Victim of Strangling Identified

A 58-year-old woman strangled in her El Segundo home last weekend during a home invasion robbery was identified Monday as Mary Shoupe.

The invasion in the 1500 block of East Mariposa Avenue occurred about 11:30 a.m. Sunday when Shoupe’s 11-year-old granddaughter was confronted at the front door by a man with a gun who ordered her into a back bedroom, Sheriff’s Deputy Edward Ramirez said.

The attacker also ordered Shoupe into the bedroom, then “bound and gagged both the victim and her granddaughter,” Ramirez said.

The man next ordered Shoupe and her granddaughter into separate bedrooms, Ramirez said. A short time later, the girl managed to remove the gag from her mouth, and “while still bound managed to dial 911,” he said.

Shoupe’s body was found on the floor.

An autopsy conducted Monday by the coroner’s office determined that the attacker had strangled her with his hands.

Authorities said scent dogs tracked the killer to the nearby corner of Imperial Highway and Sepulveda Boulevard in El Segundo, where detectives believe he may have boarded a bus or received a ride between 12:15 p.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday.

He was described as African American, about 5 feet 6 inches, 20 to 30 years old, medium build with short hair and a slight mustache. Authorities said he had dark pants, a baseball cap and a black backpack.