WKYC
December 18, 2014
An Akron man has been sentenced to life in prison for the beating death of a homeless woman.
Tyrone Benford, 42, had pleaded guilty to two counts of murder, felonious assault and breaking and entering. All counts were felonies.
Lori Patch, 53, was found dead Oct. 4, 2013, behind a Dumpster at 207 E. South St.
After finding Patch, police responded to a break-in at a mosque at 1147 Old Main St. and found Benford inside.
He was found to have Patch’s blood on his shoes.
Patch was found to have died from blunt force trauma to her face, head and neck. The investigation did not reveal Benford’s motive for the killing.
Benford will be eligible for parole after 15 years in prison, according to the Summit County prosecutor’s office.