A charge against a Martinsville man was upgraded to first-degree murder Thursday after an alleged assault of a neighbor in July.
Cindera G. Martin age 68, died on Aug. 4, following an alleged assault in her home, according to a release from the Martinsville Police Department.
On July 23, officers with the Martinsville Police Department were dispatched to 900 Rives Road, following a 911 hang-up call, according to a release.
Before officers could get to the scene, they were flagged down at the intersection of Starling Avenue and Mulberry Road by a woman who operating a motor vehicle.
Officers determined the woman had called 911 from 900 Rives Road. She alleged she managed to escape after being assaulted.
Officers then continued to the address on Rives Road and allegedly found the crime scene in one of the apartments, the release stated.
Randy Jurden Largen, 48, who lived in a neighboring apartment, was taken into custody and charged with breaking and entering with the intent to commit assault and aggravated malicious wounding in connection with the incident, according to the release.
At the time, the woman was transported to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C., where she was treated for her injuries.
Her death Tuesday was determined to be a homicide by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Western District, the release stated.
Largen, who now is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the incident, is being held without bail at the Martinsville City Jail.
The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations (CBI) is assisting with the ongoing investigation.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Sgt. Washburn at the Martinsville Police Department, (276) 403-5322 or Crimestoppers at (276) 63-CRIME (632-7463).
