Ching Liu, 58

Ching Liu, a 58-year-old Asian woman, died from blunt facial trauma and manual strangulation on Tuesday, May 5, in the 1100 block of West 163rd street in Gardena, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.

Liu died in her home at around 11:10 p.m., said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner’s office.

Los Angeles County Fire Department officials found Liu dead on the kitchen floor of the apartment she shared with family members, according to Gardena police.

Fire officials, believing Liu had been the victim of an attack, called Gardena police to the scene.

Officers said John Liu, a 60-year old Asian man who identified himself as the dead woman's brother, told them he had killed her. John Liu was arrested in connection with his sister's death and taken into custody. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment May 7.

He is being held in in lieu of $1-million bail at Twin Towers Correction Facility near downtown Los Angeles, according to sheriff's records. He is next scheduled to appear in court May 28.

-- Anthony Pesce and Megan Garvey