Michelle Lu, 55 [Updated]

Michelle Lu, a 55-year-old Asian woman, died Sunday, July 26, after she was struck several times with an ax in the 100 block of South Rosemead Boulevard in an unincorporated area of east Pasadena, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Lu's husband, James Che Ming Lu, an 85-year old Asian, called police about 1:30 a.m. and confessed to killing his wife, according to authorities.

Lt. Dan Rosenberg of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said investigators found a hatchet at the scene.

Rosenberg said investigators believe Lu used the hatchet to kill his wife; he was arrested on suspicion of murder. Rosenberg described the incident as a "very, very tragic situation."

James Lu was booked at the Sheriff's Department Temple station, where he is being held without bail, according to sheriff's jail records.

KTLA reported that investigators said the couple had been arguing before the attack. An adult son who was home at the time of the killing told deputies he heard his parents fighting and grabbed the hatchet from his father before calling 911.

Family members said Michelle Lu worked as a nanny six days a week and was home only on Sundays, according to KTLA.

[Update July 27, 2011: Man, 87, convicted of killing wife with ax, trying to kill her son]

-- Ari B. Bloomekatz and Anthony Pesce