63-year-old-woman severely beaten by boyfriend - WMBFNews.com, Myrtle Beach/Florence SC, Weather

Murder charge for man who beat 63-year-old girlfriend

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By WMBF News Staff - email
Lucia Azure Valdez (Source: Laurinburg Police) Lucia Azure Valdez (Source: Laurinburg Police)

LAURINBURG, NC (WMBF) - Police in Laurinburg are charging a man with murder after they say he severely beat his 63-year-old girlfriend.

53-year-old Lucia Azure Valdez was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and placed in the Scotland County jail where he awaited trail in connection to the beating death of girlfriend 63-year-old Judy Patel.

Patel was hospitalized for weeks after the severe beating on Sept. 5. She was transported to the Carolina Medical Center in Charlotte by helicopter from Scotland Medical Hospital because her injuries were so severe. She died from complications on Oct. 6.

Laurinburg Police cooperating with the Scotland County District Attorney's Office have upgraded the charge against Valdez to murder.

Copyright 2012 WMBF News. All rights reserved.

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