Retired schoolteacher Susie Ko was beloved by many of her students. ABC7 News has learned that a public funeral service will be held for the mother of four on Friday, October 19 at 10 a.m. at Saint Patrick's Church on 7th Street in Rodeo.
Southern California residents Darnell Washington, 25, and Tania Washington, 25, are suspected of killing Ko on October 5 in her home on Ash Court in Hercules. Los Angeles County sheriff's officials say that on Aug. 28, Darnell escaped from San Bernardino County Jail with the help of his wife. Authorities say the two then embarked on a month-long crime spree along the West Coast that included Darnell alleged shooting of a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy who attempted to stop the escapee in South El Monte, Calif. on Sept. 2. The pair allegedly carjacked two more vehicles before their involvement in the slaying of Ko, who was found stabbed to death in her home on Ash Court in Hercules. Authorities say Ko's sky blue Subaru Outback was missing from the home's driveway the night of her murder, resurfacing again on Wednesday in the Seattle suburb of SeaTac with Tania and Darnell Washington inside. The couple was arrested at gunpoint after attempting to evade police and ramming into police patrol cars. They are being held without bail in Kings County. The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office is expected to file charges against Darnell and Tania Washington late next week. (ABC7 News contributed to this report)Funeral plans announced for Hercules woman
HERCULES, Calif.
