Rhode Island man sentenced to 25 years to life in California killing

(WJAR) — A California judge this week sentenced a Rhode Island man to 25 years to life in prison in the killing of a 28-year-old woman.

Austin Medeiros, 28, of Warwick, was charged with first-degree murder in the strangulation death of Emily Lobba in Kneeland last year. Prosecutors said he killed the woman in her home and stole most of her possessions.

Ms. Lobba’s caretaker encountered Medeiros at the crime scene and notified law enforcement as Medeiros fled in Ms. Lobba’s van,” Humboldt County District Attorney Stacey Eads said in a news release on Thursday.

I commend Ms. Lobba’s caretaker for quickly alerting law enforcement of Medeiros’s crimes. Thank you to the jury for their dedication and service. May this outcome help provide Ms. Lobba’s loved ones with some sense of justice, and a path towards healing," Eads added.

Police chased Medeiros to a redwood forest, where he escaped on foot. He was arrested a week later when he tried to sail away in a Santa Cruz Harbor Patrol’s boat. Prosecutors said he also attacked a correctional officer.

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Medeiros was sentenced to another six years and four months on additional counts. He was convicted April 27.