It has been revealed that a Korean-American senior in his 80s, who recently passed away due to complications from blunt force head trauma, had been assaulted by his son before his death.
Zara Lockshin, public information specialist for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, confirmed via email on January 6 that the suspect, 56-year-old James Joonsuk Chang, who attacked and caused the death of 82-year-old Kyung Chang, was the deceased’s son. The suspect is currently facing charges of attempted murder and elder or dependent adult abuse.
The assault occurred on November 1 of last year. Eddie Romelli, a detective with the Claremont Police Department, stated in a phone interview on December 27 that Kyung Chang had been attacked in a residential area on East Baseline Road in Claremont by someone initially identified as an acquaintance.
Detective Romelli explained, “After being attacked, Kyung Chang received treatment at a nearby hospital and was later transferred to an assisted living facility. The suspect was subsequently arrested on charges of attempted murder.”
Kyung Chang passed away on December 23, 2024, at approximately 10:11 a.m. at an assisted living facility near the 500 block of South Indian Hill Boulevard in Claremont. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a homicide, citing complications from blunt force head trauma as the cause.
The Korea Daily has reached out to the bereaved family for comment regarding the incident but has not received a response as of 5 p.m. on January 6.
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
