Sketch released of suspect connected to murder of La Verne elderly couple

MONTEREY PARK, Calif. (KABC) -- Los Angeles Sheriff's Department investigators released a composite sketch of a suspect connected to the brutal murder of an elderly couple in La Verne.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic or white man in his late 20s or early 30s. He is between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 8 inches tall and was wearing a dark hooded jacket, an outer garment and blue denim pants.

The incident happened shortly before 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 26 in the 300 block of Roughrider Road. A groundskeeper discovered the couple, who were identified as 74-year-old Shirley Isom and her husband 89-year-old Armie Troy Isom.

Armie Isom was found beaten to death and his wife was found badly beaten and stabbed to death, according to authorities. The murders took place near the front door of the couple's home.

Neighbors said they saw a man they had never seen before wandering around the area shortly before the bodies were discovered.

Because the couple resided on a 100-acre property, it took investigators three days to comb through the property for evidence.

"All I can say is that the scene provides us a glimpse of what occurred. It was a very brutal attack. I think it's safe to say it was most likely a blitz attack at the front door of their home," LASD Lt. Dave Coleman said. "It appears that the assault occurred at the front door or inside and after that the detectives are analyzing the physical evidence, the blood evidence, everything there, and right now we really don't have a motive for the attack."

Investigators are not sure if there are other suspects involved in the case, but the composite sketch is the best lead they have right now.

Anyone with more information is asked to contact "Crime Stoppers" at (800) 222-8477.