Karla Brada, 31 [Updated]

Died Sept. 1, 2011

Karla Brada, a 31-year-old white woman, died Thursday, Sept. 1, in the 20700 block of Plum Canyon Road in Santa Clarita, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Brada's boyfriend said he found her unresponsive Thursday morning, according to a Sheriff's Department news release. The boyfriend contacted authorities, who arrived and pronounced the woman dead.

Coroner's records show Brada had some trauma to her body, but a final cause of death has been deferred pending additional laboratory tests.

Sheriff's homicide Det. Ray Lugo, who is handling the case, said Brada's boyfriend is a suspect in the death. He was arrested but had to be released while detectives gather more evidence for the homicide investigation, Lugo said.

[Update Jan. 12, 2012: Coroner's officials later determined that Brada died from asphyxia and her death was deemed a homicide.]

[Update Jan. 26, 2012: Brada’s boyfriend, Eric Allen Earle, a 40-year-old white man, was arrested Wednesday in connection with the victim’s death, Det. Lugo said.

Earle was apprehended in Northridge by the U.S. Marshal Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force. He is currently being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the inmate reception center in downtown.

Lugo said Earle will be charged with one count of murder.

According to investigators, Earle has a history of domestic violence against women. In August 2011, he was arrested for allegedly assaulting Brada, however she decided to not move forward with the case and authorities were unable to prosecute him.

Lugo said Earle and Brada had been dating for two months before she was killed. At the time of the incident, they were living together, he said.

In a statement sent to the Times, Brada’s mother said about the arrest, “This is a big relief for not only Karla's family, but several other families who have felt threatened by Eric's release since he has a long history of domestic violence against other women. Unfortunately, we did not learn about his history of domestic violence until Karla's death. It is too late for Karla and her family, but we hope putting him away for good will save another family from this tragedy and pain.”

Anyone with additional information about the death of Karla Brada is asked to contact Det. Lugo at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.]

— Los Angeles Times