Watch CBS News

Man Charged With Murder Of Elderly San Jose Woman Beaten During Home Invasion

SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- A man has been charged with murder in the death of an elderly woman who died last month from injuries she suffered during a September home invasion robbery in unincorporated San Jose, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office said Thursday.

Zachary Omar Cuen, 19, is charged in the killing of 88-year-old Flovais Douglas, who died Oct. 8 from injuries she suffered in the Sept. 12 attack at her home, prosecutors said.

Cuen was previously charged with attempted murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary and elder abuse, which each have a special allegation of personally afflicting great bodily injury, prosecutors said.

If convicted, Cuen faces a sentence of life in prison, according to the district attorney's office.

"Our deepest condolences go out to Ms. Douglas's family and to so many in the community who loved and respected her," Deputy District Attorney Lance Daugherty said in a statement.

"We will do everything within our power to hold this defendant accountable for this savage and senseless crime," Daugherty said.

Investigators identified Cuen as a suspect through a fingerprint left at the home, prosecutors said.

The victim, also known was "Miss Flo," was at her home on North Cragmont Avenue where Cuen allegedly broke in and threatened to kill her if she didn't follow his orders, Santa Clara County sheriff's officials said.

Cuen allegedly asked the woman for money, but when she told him she had none, he punched and kicked her to the ground, sheriff's officials said.

The 19-year-old man left the home for a short time, then returned to beat her up, according to the sheriff's office.

Cuen then allegedly ransacked the home, took various items including jewelry Douglas had been wearing, and drove away in her car that had been parked in the garage, sheriff's officials said.

The woman's car was later found down the street from the residence, sheriff's Sgt. James Cardenas said in a statement of facts filed in court on the case.

Douglas was left with multiple bone fractures and internal hemorrhaging to her eyes and brain, Cardenas said.

TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.