On Feb. 5, the victim, a 40-year-old woman who lived in the 2300 block of Esmond Avenue, heard someone at her door at about 9 a.m.
When she opened her door, a man forced himself into her house and asked for money, police spokeswoman Lt. Bisa French said.
The victim told him she didn't have any money and the man started assaulting her. She lost consciousness during the struggle but then came to, French said.
When she blacked out a second time, the man slit her throat and then left her there to die, French said.
The victim regained consciousness and was able to crawl outside, where neighbors came to her aid, police said.
The entire attack took about 20 minutes.
The victim, who often had yard sales in front of her house, told police she had seen the man in the neighborhood before, and had even seen him at one of her yard sales. Her roommate had been involved in a dispute with the man about a month before the February attack, French said.
The victim told police she believes the man might have a mental disability. During her earlier interaction with him, he had referred to his mother in a way that suggested he lived with her and was dependent on her, French said.
The suspect was described as a 30-year-old black man between 5 feet 8 inches and 6 feet tall. He weighs between 200 to 220 pounds and has black hair.
The victim has recovered from her injuries, but police, who are still looking for the suspect, have exhausted all their existing leads in the case.
Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call Detective Aaron Pomeroy at (510) 620-6673. People who wish to remain anonymous can call the Police Department's tip line at (510) 232-8477.
