Jack Bezner, 71

Died Aug. 9, 2010

Jack Bezner, a 71-year-old white man, was found stabbed to death Monday, Aug. 9, in the 4200 block of Arica Avenue in Rosemead, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Sheriff's deputies found Jack Bezner and his wife, Susan Bezner, a 64-year-old white woman, in their bed with multiple wounds to their upper torsos, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.

The couple's Nissan was missing. As detectives conducted their investigation, they discovered that Rodolfo Lopez, 21, and his girlfriend, the couple's 14-year-old granddaughter, allegedly stole the vehicle and were fleeing to Texas, Lt. Mike Rosson said.

The granddaughter, identified by the Los Angeles County district attorney's office as Sophia Janalisa Cristo, and Lopez were later captured in El Paso County, Texas.

They have each been charged with two counts of murder, prosecutors said.

If convicted, Lopez would be eligible for the death penalty. Cristo could be sentenced to life without parole because of her age.

"The residents of the Rosemead area can rest a little easier tonight knowing that the suspects are in custody," said Rosson, who added that he was "saddened at the tragic loss of these two community members."

— Andrew Blankstein, Robert J. Lopez and Sarah Ardalani