- Kayla Rose Bessette, 36, allegedly followed a 79-year-old man from a grocery store and broke into his home.
- Bessette is accused of strangling the elderly man and stealing money from him during the attack.
- Police arrested Bessette after finding her with blood on her hands near the grocery store where the victim had been.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA — Weeks after a North Carolina high school counselor was charged after alleged sexual activity with a student on campus, another North Carolina case is drawing attention. This time, a woman is accused of following a 79-year-old man home from a grocery store, breaking into his home, and strangling him.
Police identified the suspect as 36-year-old Kayla Rose Bessette. She is now facing several charges, including attempted murder and assault by strangulation.
Victim Followed Home From Grocery Store
According to police, the victim was walking home from a Food Lion grocery store on The Plaza in Charlotte when a woman began following him.
The woman was allegedly asking him for money.
When the man reached his apartment on Murdock Road, he tried to close his front door. Police say Bessette forced her way inside before he could shut it.
Attack Inside the Home
Investigators say Bessette pushed the elderly man onto his bed, jumped on top of him, and began strangling him.
Police said she then reached into his pockets, took his money, and left the home.
Officers responded to the apartment after a robbery call.
Suspect Found Near Grocery Store
Detectives later found Bessette at a bus stop near the same Food Lion where the victim had been shopping.
Police said she had bloody hands when they found her.
Investigators also recovered video from the grocery store that allegedly showed the suspect.
Police Say She Admitted Attack
After receiving her Miranda warning, Bessette allegedly admitted that she broke into the man’s home and tried to kill him while stealing his money.
Police said that when she was asked if she intended to kill the victim, she did not deny it. Officers also wrote that she “smiled with satisfaction” when asked about her intent.
According to investigators, Bessette said several times that she did not regret what happened and claimed the victim “deserved it.”
Held Without Bond
Bessette was arrested and taken to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Jail.
She is being held without bond. Her next court date is scheduled for June 16.
The case remains active as prosecutors move forward with the charges.
To view more cases involving home invasions, random attacks, and violent crimes against elderly victims, check out our video here:
