The Long Beach Police Department learned Feb. 28 that the death of a 72-year-old woman in September 2021 was caused by injuries she reportedly sustained during an assault in August 2021.
On August 21, 2021, 72-year-old Barbara Scott reported to police that she had intervened in an argument between a man and woman when the man punched her in the upper body, knocking her to the ground.
Scott complained of pain in her upper body and was treated at the scene by Long Beach Fire Department personnel, but declined further medical attention, police said.
The assault occurred in an alleyway near the victim’s apartment in the 1000 block of Redondo Avenue.
Later that same day, LBPD and LBFD personnel responded to a report of a woman unresponsive in her apartment. Upon arrival, police officers identified Scott as the victim from the earlier incident.
Police said Scott was transported to a local hospital by LBFD personnel.
The following month, on Sept. 16, police responded to a local skilled nursing facility after learning that Scott had died.
Police alerted the Los Angeles County Department Medical Examiner–Coroner, who sent an investigator to the scene. The investigator was provided information about the earlier assault to assist with their investigation.
Scott’s cause of death was listed as a sequelae (aftereffect) of blunt head trauma, according to the Los Angeles County Department Medical Examiner–Coroner.
The incident was originally investigated by the Violent Crimes Detail. When the results of the autopsy were released on Feb. 28, 2022, the case was reassigned to LBPD’s Homicide Detail.
The identity of the man who allegedly punched Scott is currently unknown, but he is described as being in his 20s. Police said after the assault he left the area on foot with the woman he had been arguing with.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact Homicide Detective Ethan Shear at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.
Correction: Thursday, March 3, 7:19 p.m. This article was edited to reflect the woman was punched in the upper body and not on the chest.
