Victims of Deadly Altadena Stabbings Identified as PCC Staff Member, Brother

Carol Bown, 67, of Altadena, pictured in an undated photo provided by Pasadena City College. (Courtesy donbgphoto.com )

Investigators have identified a man and woman who were allegedly stabbed to death by a relative at their home in Altadena on Monday, prompting mourning at Pasadena City College, where the woman worked for more than a decade.

Carol Brown, 67, and her brother Kenneth Preston, 69, were killed in the 2:45 p.m. attack in the 3100 block of North Marengo Avenue, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Lt. Barry Hall.

Robert Anderson Cotton, 32, who was Brown’s son and Preston’s nephew, was arrested in connection with the killings, officials said.

“With much sorrow,” Pasadena City College President Erika Endrijonas confirmed that Brown was a staff member at the school.

“Yesterday afternoon our PCC family suffered a terrible loss. Dr. Carol Brown, who most recently served as a co-coordinator of the Black STEM program, was the victim of a violent crime where she and her brother lost their lives,” she said in a letter to the PCC community.

“The incident occurred during a remote conference call with other college employees,” Endrijonas said.

“…please know that the college is doing everything it can to assist law enforcement, respond to Carol’s family and loved ones, and mourn this terrible loss,” Endrijonas said

Endrijonas encouraged anyone in need of support to take advantage of campus resources.

“Counseling services are being made available to members of our community who were directly impacted by this tragedy,” she said. “More information about how we can come together in response to this tragedy and remember Carol will be forthcoming. I am completely shocked and horrified by what has happened.”

Deputies arrested Robert Anderson Cotton, 32, who shared the home with his mother and uncle, shortly after the stabbing after he returned to the scene, according to sheriff’s officials. He was booked on suspicion of two counts of murder and scheduled to make an initial court appearance Thursday..

A motive in the crime was not available.

Anyone with information was urged to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

Correction: A previous version of this story misspelled the male victim’s first name. It has been corrected.

UPDATE: Man Accused of Stabbing Mother, Uncle to Death in Altadena