Cousin Of Man Accused In La Verne Killings Speaks To CBS2

LA VERNE (CBSLA.com) — The cousin of a man accused of killing a La Verne couple says she doesn't believe Luke Fabela is capable of murder.

"You wouldn't think that somebody you know would do something like that," said the woman, who spoke to CBS2 on Wednesday afternoon about the accusations levied against Fabela.

She asked that her identity be protected.

The 23-year-old Fabela is accused in the killings of Shirley Isom, 74, and Armie Isom, 89. Shirley died Dec. 26 at the crime scene from blunt force trauma, while Armie was stabbed and beaten. He was transported to the hospital, where he later died.

The cousin says Fabela's mother is also in shock.

"She was upset and she was, you know, crying like every mom would be upset but she says, 'You know, I don't believe it,' " the cousin said.

The cousin, however, acknowledges Fabela, who goes by his middle name Matthew, has had many issues.

"He had a drug problem. That's what I heard from the family. Like, you know, if we go Christmas or Thanksgiving or something, I would say, 'Where's Matthew?' And they'd, 'Oh, you know what, he's off doing his thing or whatever,' " she said.

"Yeah. That he had to take medication for hearing voices and things and you know, stuff," she added.

Fabela's family says he is married and has a young child. His last listed address was in Pomona and his mother lives about 2 miles from the crime scene in La Verne.

He has a past criminal record.

In San Bernardino County in 2015, he was charged with joyriding, vandalism and petty theft. In 2011 in Los Angeles County, he was charged with making a criminal threat.

"He came over when he came out of jail or something. You know something's wrong when someone is in jail," she said.

CBS2 reached out to Fabela's mother but was told she has no comment.