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Best Buy Contractor Allegedly Beat Elderly Woman With Mallet, Set Her On Fire After Dropping Off Washer And Dryer
Jorge Lachazo was supposed to be showing Evelyn Udell how to use her new appliances. Then his co-worker heard screams coming from inside the home.
A Best Buy delivery man is accused of dousing an elderly woman in a chemical liquid, setting her on fire and beating her to death after delivering a washer and dryer to her Florida home.
Jorge Luis Depre Lachazo, 21, and his coworker David Gonzalez delivered a washer and dryer to the Boca Raton home of 75-year-old Evelyn Udell on Monday morning after being contracted by Best Buy, according to WPTV in Palm Beach.
“At one point during the visit, Gonzalez went outside to make phone calls to the office,” according to the Boca Raton Police. “Lachazo remained inside of the home to speak with the victim about the new appliances. After hearing screams from the house, Gonzalez entered the home and saw blood and the victim on the floor.”
Gonzalez ran back outside and called 911, as Lachazo got into their delivery truck and drove away, according to police.
When first responders arrived, they found Udell “unconscious and suffering from burns and trauma injuries,” according to police. The victim was transported to a local hospital and died the next day.
A responding officer actually recognized the delivery truck and stopped Luchazo, who was "very sweaty and was shaking as if he was nervous,” according to an arrest report obtained by WPTV.
“During an interview, Lachazo admitted that he struck the victim and doused her with a liquid chemical,” police said. “Lachazo admitted to using cocaine and marijuana earlier in the day.”
In the laundry room of the victim’s home, investigators found a "strong odor of a chemical” and "a wooded handled mallet was on top of the washing machine” covered in blood as well as a glass wine bottle covered in long hair in dried blood, according to the arrest report.
Investigators noted that an open can of acetone and a stove which has been pulled out from the wall were found in the kitchen. The stove's burners had been turned on.
Lachazo allegedly admitted to beating the woman with a mallet and setting her on fire
He has been charged with first-degree murder, first-degree arson and armed burglary with battery.
Best Buy has suspended its relationship with the local subcontracting delivery company where Lachazo worked, according to WPTV. The company is also reportedly reviewing both its screening and safety programs.
Lachazo has been denied bond. It’s not clear if he has a lawyer who can speak on his behalf at this time.
Udell worked at Florida Atlantic University as a cataloger from 2003 until just last year.
“Evelyn will be remembered as a kind, caring and hard-working member of the staff,” the university said in a statement, according to CBS 12.
Anyone with information about this case about this case, please contact Det. Scott Hanley at 561-338-1344.
