Palmdale man sentenced in killing of grandmother

A Palmdale man was sentenced Feb. 7, 2007, to state prison for the 2004 killing of his grandmother, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

Leonel Roberto Moncada, 26, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the death of Elvira Mercedes Diaz.

Diaz, a 78-year-old Latina, died May 29, 2004, in the 40600 block of 171st Street East in Lake Los Angeles, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Moncada called the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and said he had come home to the house he and Diaz shared and found her dead.

Diaz, who was beaten and had her throat slashed, was pronounced dead at the scene.

After being questioned by deputies, Moncada was arrested on suspicion of murder.

-- Maloy Moore