Thanksgiving Day Tragedy for Grieving Widow
A 76-year-old widow has been left heartbroken and facing financial hardship after her home in Covina, California, was brutally invaded on Thanksgiving Day. Monica Lopez returned from holiday celebrations with her family late on Thursday, 27 November 2025, to discover her gate ajar and her home in chaos.
A Devastating Scene
Inside the property, a scene of devastation awaited her. Clothes were thrown across the floor, drawers had been pulled out and emptied, and a shattered window showed where the intruders had forced their way in. The most devastating discovery was that her beloved dog, Rocky, was missing.
Rocky had been her faithful companion since the death of her husband. Tragically, the family was later informed by police that Rocky had been found nearby, having suffered severe head trauma. The injuries were fatal, and the dog did not survive.
"We don't know if it's the burglars that hit him," her daughter-in-law, who wished to remain anonymous, told reporters. Lopez herself believes Rocky may have been hurt while bravely trying to chase the intruders from her home.
Stolen Sentiment and Security
Detectives confirmed that the burglars, who struck between approximately 3 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., made off with valuable items. Among the stolen possessions was Monica Lopez's wedding ring, a piece of immense sentimental value. They also took thousands of dollars in cash that she had set aside to pay her mortgage, plunging her into immediate financial difficulty.
"I can't believe people would do something like that," a distraught Lopez told local news outlet KTLA.
Ongoing Investigation and a Disturbing Precedent
Investigators are now meticulously reviewing evidence collected from the scene, including fingerprints, in the hope of identifying a suspect. The family revealed a disturbing detail that this may not have been a random attack. About a month prior to the burglary, someone had banged on Lopez's window in the middle of the night, fleeing only when they realised she was home.
"It could be a coincidence, but I don't think so," the daughter-in-law stated. "I think it was the same man or woman who came back to finish whatever bad thing they were looking to do."
In response to the tragedy, the family has created a GoFundMe page to help Monica Lopez cover her mortgage payments, replace the stolen items, and repair the damage left by the invaders.
