Gardena man gets life for killing elderly woman

TORRANCE - A 28-year-old convicted felon was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison without parole for the 2007 sexual assault and beating death of an elderly woman.Thedward Candler pleaded guilty to the murder of Severa Madrona, 76. He admitted special circumstance allegations of murder during rape, sodomy and kidnapping. Madrona was out for a morning walk on Sept. 18, 2007 in the El Camino Village area - an unincorporated part of Los Angeles County, near Gardena - when Candler attacked her. Madrona's body was discovered within an hour of the attack in the backyard of a home at 152nd Street and Eriel Avenue. She died as a result of a blunt force head wound.

********** Published: October 06, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 25