Suspect Held in Slaying of Couple in Monrovia

A 31-year-old man was booked Sunday on suspicion of murder for allegedly stabbing to death an elderly Monrovia couple after forcing his way into their home, authorities said.

Clark Shaum, 79, and his wife, Bernice, 70, were found dead inside their house in the 600 block of West Duarte Road about 3 p.m. Saturday, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. Rick Myers said.

“The suspect forced entry into the home and then the suspect stabbed to death the elderly couple,” Myers said.

Alfredo Montez Valenzuela of Monrovia was taken into custody Sunday in the 700 block of Magnolia Avenue, several blocks from the Shaums’ home, after investigators found the couple’s truck, Myers said.

Valenzuela was being held without bail at the Men’s Central Jail.

Myers said relatives of the Shaums discovered their bodies.

Sheriff’s homicide detectives were called in to assist Monrovia police with the investigation.

Helen Acuna, 64, who owns a preschool next door to the Shaums’ home, said she had last seen Clark Shaum about 2:30 p.m. Friday.

“Clark and Bernice were perfect neighbors and good friends. They were the nicest of people,” Acuna said. “Clark was a very friendly person. He’d speak to everyone.”

Acuna said Clark Shaum would sweep the street in front of her school and would often bring in her garbage bins and talk to parents coming and going from the school.

“I trusted them so much. Clark had keys to the school,” she said.

Myers could not say if the Shaums had known Valenzuela.