San Luis Obispo man arrested for allegedly trying to kill 90-year-old woman

By Stephen Curran

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A San Luis Obispo man was arrested early Saturday after police say he told them he did something “very bad” when he tried to kill a 90-year-old woman and steal her vehicle.

Police say Brennan Thomas Fulfer, 22, broke into Mildred Maddelein’s mobile home in the 1600 block of Gathe Drive in San Luis Obispo late Friday night and struck the woman several times with a closed fist before strangling her into unconsciousness.

The attack apparently triggered Maddelein’s Life Alert device, but operators for the service said they were unable to hear voices or make telephone contact with her.

Paramedics were immediately dispatched to the home, police said. They found Maddelein lying on the floor, semi-conscious and unable to speak.

There were no immediate signs of a struggle, police said, and Maddelein appeared to be suffering from a medical problem. She was taken by ambulance to French Hospital Medical Center and was in serious condition Saturday.

A police officer saw him walking near Santa Rosa and Walnut streets shortly after midnight Saturday, about two hours after the alleged attack. According to police, Fulfer was distraught and told the officer he had just done something “very bad” and needed to go to jail.

He then told the officer that he had broken into a mobile home and killed a woman by strangulation, police said.

When officers returned to Maddelein’s home, they found evidence consistent with Fulfer’s statements. Maddelein’s injuries also matched the description he provided, police said.

Police said Fulfer, who also lives in the Laguna Mobile Home Park, told them he did not know Maddelein and had randomly selected her.

Fulfer was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, burglary, elder abuse and attempted robbery. He was taken to County Jail.

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