2 Men, Including Victim’s Grandson, Charged in Fatal South Pasadena Stabbing

Two men — including a grandson of the victim — are scheduled to be arraigned next month on murder and burglary charges for allegedly killing a 75-year-old woman at her South Pasadena home.

Josh Edward Atkins, 44, and Bikramjot Singh Padda, 28, are each charged with murder and first-degree burglary with a person present stemming from the June 4 killing of Susan Miller inside her home in the 800 block of Brent Avenue, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors said Padda is Miller’s grandson.

Sheriff’s officials said deputies responded to Miller’s home around 8:45 p.m. that night, and the victim was found dead from stab wounds to the upper body.

Reports from the scene at the time suggested Miller’s grandchildren found her body while checking on her welfare.

Prosecutors alleged that Atkins and Padda burglarized the home at about 3:30 a.m. that morning and fatally stabbed Miller.

The criminal complaint alleges that Atkins personally used a knife in the commission of the crime. The complaint also alleges that another person, other than the alleged accomplice, was present during the burglary.

According to jail records, Padda was initially detained by authorities in June, but he was released two days later with no charges filed.

Padda was re-arrested Saturday and booked at the sheriff’s Norwalk station. Atkins was arrested Nov. 12 in the Santa Clarita Valley, according to jail records. Both were being held in lieu of roughly $2 million bail.

Both are scheduled to be arraigned Dec. 19 in downtown Los Angeles, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

“Our hearts are with Ms. Susan Miller’s loved ones as they continue to navigate this senseless violence and loss,” District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement. “The loss is made even more painful by the fact that one of the defendants involved is the victim’s grandson.”

[For additional details, see here]