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Suspect Charged With Beating Woman, Killing Her Son

Tuesday, July 15, 2008 – updated: 10:24 am EDT July 16, 2008

Investigators arrested a man Tuesday night suspected of beating an Orange County woman and killing her son. The victims were found inside a house on Overdale Street (see map) on Tuesday afternoon.


RAW VIDEO: Suspect In Custody After Woman Beaten, Son Murdered

Matthew Braxton was booked into the Orange County jail on Tuesday night after tips led police to the victim's stolen car and, in turn, the suspect. Investigators think he killed James Hufsteler and beat Hufsteler's mother, Patricia Warren, 59. It was Warren's screams that caught the attention of the neighbor, who dialed 911 for help.

"I heard her screaming. And when I went to her front door, the screen door was open and she was right there, sitting in a chair, bloody all over," Maria Madan said.

People who live in the neighborhood told Eyewitness News on Tuesday morning that the two family members may have attacked one another, but what seemed to be a case of domestic violence turned into a more complicated murder investigation. And while the call for help came in about 10:00am Tuesday, deputies think that the actual attack took place sometime Monday afternoon, but Warren was unconscious until Tuesday morning, when she started screaming for help.

Deputies have not released a motive for the crimes or Warren's condition. Braxton was charged with first degree murder, attempted first degree murder and grand theft auto.

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