More than a year after the killing of a hiker in Carlsbad, the now-18-year-old defendant charged with murder in the brutal attack was back before a judge.
Haloa Beaudet participated in a juvenile court proceeding via livestream video Monday.
The hearing was the first step in deciding whether Beaudet should be tried as an adult in connection with the killing of 68-year-old widow Lisa Thorborg, who was killed while trail hiking in Hosp Grove Park on Nov. 23, 2020.
The slaying both terrified and outraged the Carlsbad community.
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Beaudet was arrested weeks later, on Dec. 14, 2020.
Four days earlier, NBC 7's cameras were rolling when he was spotted, shoeless and shirtless, in the park where the woman was killed. He kept a broad smile on his face, always looking around curiously as he climbed the playground equipment and walked a trail.
Before running off, Beaudet approached NBC 7 reporter Alexis Rivas, asked about the murder and if there were any leads.
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“I don’t understand who would take a woman’s life at 68," said fellow hiker and Thorborg family friend Theresa Dooley. "She was just walking on a trail, enjoying nature."
We showed the video shot last December to Dooley. She found it very disturbing.
“I thought to myself, 'Gosh, what if it was going to happen again?' ” Dooley said.
Carlsbad investigators said Thorborg was stabbed twice in the neck. The attack happened after 11 on the morning of Nov. 23, 2020.
Dooley said the city cleared away some of the foliage from the trail where Thorborg was killed so it’s more visible to passers-by. Dooley doesn’t go there to hike anymore. She said she doesn’t get a good feeling in the park anymore. Despite the peaceful surroundings, it’s just not the same to her.
So, compelled by Throrborg’s story, Dooley helped organize a memorial walk. She said she raised some $2,000 for a park bench.
“We thought this would be a really beautiful place to have it," Dooley said. "It's very peaceful. You can see the sunset here.“
The memorial bench sits in Buena Vista Reservoir Park, directly across the street from where the Thorborgs lived. Dooley said they have since moved to Oregon.
Through text messaging, Lisa’s daughter Emma declined to comment about Beaudet possibly being tried as an adult.
“Expressing our opinion to the court is where it will actually make a difference, “ Thorborg texted.
Dooley said that, as it is such a horrendous crime, it deserves an adult punishment, the hole left in Dooley's heart and the hearts of many others can’t ever be filled.
“Every time I drive by Hosp Grove, I just wave at Lisa, knowing here spirit is here," Dooley said. "I think about her all the time.“
Beaudet was in court Monday for a status hearing. He is scheduled for a transfer hearing July 11, which is when the judge will determine whether the teen will be tried as an adult.
Wed. Aug. 3, 2022: Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that NBC 7 cameras were rolling four days prior to Beaudet's arrest. Not the day of.
