Elderly Woman Found Beaten to Death

Bell Gardens - A 79-year-old Bell Gardens woman was found dead today with her son nearby suffering from apparent self-inflicted injuries, sheriff's deputies said.

Agnes Bratto was found dead around 10:15 a.m. in the 6300 block of Gotham Street, a residential neighborhood in Bell Gardens bordering John Anson Ford Park, said sheriff's Deputy Lillian Peck and coroner's Lt. Larry Dietz.

"Officers from Bell Gardens arrived at the location following a 911 call," said sheriff's Deputy Ed Hernandez. "They found a 79-year-old victim suffering from apparent blunt force injuries and an adult male, believed to be her son, suffering from what is believed to be self-inflicted injuries."

Authorities are investigating whether it was a murder and attempted suicide by the son.

"It is tragic circumstances, obviously," Lt. Patrick Nelson of the sheriff's department said. "And if there were mental health issues, it's very unfortunate that whatever treatment he may have received apparently wasn't sufficient."

The man was being treated at a hospital for his wounds.