Arrest made, charging documents say Castro Valley woman tortured, home set on fire

CASTRO VALLEY, Calif. (KGO) -- There's relief Friday night for a Castro Valley neighborhood where a woman was killed, and her home set on fire in December of 2016.

RELATED: Homicide investigation launched after woman found dead in burned home

Charging documents say Andrea St. John was tortured the night she was killed in a home break-in.

Coincidentally, this news comes on the day that St. John's family held her memorial. The man suspected of the murder is currently in jail in San Joaquin County on an unrelated case.

Earlier this week, investigators say he shared details of the homicide that only a killer would know.

Firefighters found St. John dead in her garage -- it turns out she had been killed before her home was set on fire.

"It's a horrible thing that it could happen and the worst part is that it could happen to anyone around here," said a neighbor who didn't want to be identified. "It could have happened to any of us."

RELATED: Officials say womans injuries were brutal in arson, homicide

The Alameda County District attorney filed charges Friday against 36-year-old Luckie Dacanay.

Charging documents say Dacanay confessed to the killing while in the San Joaquin County Jail on other charges. Then, investigators found corroborating evidence.

"I'm glad because it's a closure for the family," said neighbor PJ Parma.

Dacanay faces burglary, robbery, murder with torture, and other charges of which could make this a death penalty case.

Deputies say his physical description matches video from a neighbor's camera.

"If we contributed to it, I'd be very happy," Parma added.

It's unclear why Dacaney would've been in the neighborhood. His home address is listed as Stockton.

He'll be extradited to Alameda County to face charges.

RELATED: Woman killed in Castro Valley house fire

St. John leaves behind two adult daughters who held her memorial Friday. ABC7 News is told some 150 people attended.