Hearing Date to be Set for Grandson, Accomplice in South Pasadena Murder Case

A preliminary hearing date is scheduled to be set Tuesday for two men charged with murdering a 75-year-old South Pasadena woman in her home last June.

Josh Edward Atkins, 44, and Bikramjot Singh Padda, 28, will appear at 8:30 a.m. in Department 36 of the Criminal Courts Building in downtown Los Angeles. The defendants are accused of killing Padda’s grandmother, Susan Miller.

Both men face one count each of murder and first-degree residential burglary with a person present.

Atkins pleaded not guilty on January 24, 2025, while Padda entered his not guilty plea on December 23, 2024. Atkins is being held on $2,020,000 bail, and Padda on $2,050,000 bail.

Prosecutors allege Atkins and Padda broke into Miller’s South Pasadena home in the 800 block of Brent Avenue at approximately 3:30 a.m. on June 4, 2024.

According to court documents, Atkins, born May 2, 1980, allegedly used a knife during the crime.

Miller was found dead from stab wounds to her upper body. Deputies responded to her residence around 8:45 p.m. that same day after Miller’s grandchildren discovered her body while checking on her welfare.

The criminal complaint alleges another person, besides the two defendants, was present during the burglary. There is no explicit mention of a pre-existing relationship between Atkins and Padda beyond their alleged collaboration in this criminal act.

Padda was initially detained in June 2024 but released two days later without charges. Following further investigation, authorities arrested Atkins on November 12, 2024, in the Santa Clarita Valley. Padda was re-arrested on November 16, 2024, and booked at the sheriff’s Norwalk station.

Former District Attorney George Gascón commented on the case, expressing sympathy for the victim’s family and noting the particularly painful nature of the crime given that one of the defendants is the victim’s grandson.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the case, with prosecutors from the District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Division handling the prosecution.

Atkins and Padda were initially scheduled for arraignment on December 19, 2024, in Department 30 of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. The March 4 court appearance was previously scheduled as their next court date.

If convicted as charged, both defendants face a maximum sentence of life in state prison.