Anthony Barra (Mug shot from Tulare County District Attorney’s Office)
A convicted burglar and vandal in California was sentenced to life in prison for beating, stabbing and dousing with gasoline a 74-year-old woman found dead in her burning mobile home trailer.
Anthony Barra, 27, learned his fate this week in the murder of Carol Hendon, according to a news release from the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office.
The drama happened on Jan. 20, 2022. Tulare police responded at 6:15 a.m. to a trailer home fully engulfed in flames, authorities said.
Neighbors told officers a 74-year-old woman lived there. Fire and emergency personnel found her dead inside and noticed a strong odor of gas. Her car was in the carport with the trunk open, authorities said. An autopsy showed she had been severely beaten and stabbed and was dead before the fire.
Surveillance video and witnesses said a man in dark clothes had been seen in the carport about 45 minutes earlier, police said. The man entered and left the trailer, igniting and reigniting the blaze, officials said.
Barra was arrested the next day when officers were called to a store on a report of a man loitering and making lewd comments. Authorities said Barra had broken into a vehicle and police arrested him on suspicion of burglary. While searching his belongings, authorities found lighters and a red gas can on him. He was initially held on charges of burglary, resisting an officer and a probation violation, officials said. His clothing matched the man in the surveillance video, and his DNA matched the DNA found in the victim’s car, authorities said.
“We have the video, forensic evidence — that I won’t mention what it is at his house — but his DNA evidence confirming he was at the scene sealed the deal for us,” said Sgt. Eddie Hinojosa of the Tulare Police Department told local ABC affiliate KFSN-TV.
Later, under questioning by detectives, officials said Barra implicated himself, providing “intimate details” about the murder, and he was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated arson, torture and destroying or concealing evidence. In September, he pleaded no contest to first-degree murder with the special allegation of use of a deadly weapon and felony elder abuse resulting in death. He also pleaded no contest to assault and battery against custodial officers for incidents in jail. He has convictions for burglary and vandalism, authorities said.
Shortly after the killing, Hendon’s sister, Betty Tilton, told KFSN-TV she was shocked.
“I couldn’t quite — I comprehended it but I couldn’t quite process it. It just seemed unbelievable,” she said.
Jennifer Dowdy, Hendon’s neighbor, told local affiliate KMPH-TV she was relieved after the arrest.
“I’m just glad they caught the person who did it because she was a good person,” she said.
