A San Diego woman, convicted in the fatal dog attack of a 75-year-old neighbor, died before she was sentenced.
Alba Cornelio died March 15 while in custody at a San Diego hospital. She was receiving treatment for ongoing medical issues. San Diego County sheriff's deputies would not reveal the cause of death citing inmate privacy.
She and her daughter Carla Cornelio were convicted of involuntary manslaughter and death from a mischievous animal for the attack June 18, 2011 that resulted in the death of Emako Mendoza.
Mendoza, 75, was mauled by the Cornelios' two pit bulls when she stepped outside of her home to get the morning newspaper.
Carla Cornelio was sentenced last week to four years in prison and ordered to pay restitution to the Mendoza family. The amount of restitution was not yet determined.
At the time of the attack, the dogs were euthanized by animal service officers along with their three-week old puppies.
