California man stabs mother and uncle during Zoom call, officials say

A 32-year-old California man is facing murder charges in connection with the fatal stabbing of both his mother and uncle at their Altadena home on March 22. The incident occurred when the deceased woman was having a zoom call with her colleagues from work, WFLA reported.

Though her colleagues immediately alerted authorities about what was happening, it was a little too late. “This is a horrific case in which the mother’s work colleagues witnessed part of the attack while on a Zoom call and called the authorities,” Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement.

The female victim, identified as 67-year-old Dr. Carol Brown, worked at the Pasadena City College. The institution said Dr. Brown had worked there for around 20 years and up until recently served as the co-coordinator for its Black STEM Program, KCAL reported. The other victim was identified as 69-year-old Kenneth Preston.

Investigators say the suspect, Robert Cotton, initially stabbed his uncle before turning on his mother while she was on the call. Deputies who responded to the scene found Preston’s body on the driveway while Brown’s body was discovered in the home.

“So many memories about Carol and the amazing work that she did with so many of our students and the incredible spirit she had that was so positive, uplifting and helpful,” Dr. Cynthia Olivo, Dr. Brown’s colleague at PCC, told KCAL.

Cotton, who was apprehended at the scene of the crime, has been reportedly charged with two counts of murder and using a knife as a deadly and dangerous weapon. He is currently being held on a $2 million bail.

“I don’t know what to say about him, because I don’t know him, but I know her and she’s such a good person,” a family friend said about Dr. Brown. “She’s a really good person, and she’s always helping other people.”

The motive behind the double murder is yet to be disclosed.