The Tragic Saga of Junior Seau and Another Shocking Death in East County

At La Mesa-Mount Helix Patch, we know that in your busy lives there may be some stories that you can't read about the day they happen. With the "Week That Was" column, we'll provide a roundup of the most important stories of the week.

It was a week of tragedy on La Mesa-Mount Helix Patch. The biggest news across the county came mid-week, when it was learned that former San Diego Chargers star Junior Seau had committed suicide. There was widespread reaction from the region, including in La Mesa, where Seau donated money to help create the sports complex that now bears his name. Check out all of Patch's comprehensive coverage.

Another shocking death was reported last week, when Jean Eskridge Freeman, the 92-year-old Ramona resident who founded Jean's Dance Studio in Spring Valley, was found dead with "obvious signs of trauma." It was later learned she was bludgeoned to death with a hammer, and the suspect in the alleged murder, Gary Allen Thomas, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

A judge at the El Cajon Superior Courthouse dismissed the case of Russell Cilibraise III, the La Mesa man who was charged with committing lewd and lacivious acts with a child – his son. A mistrial was declared last month after the jury could not come to a verdict. Speaking with the judge, Cilibraise said that his defense attorney, "proved him a liar," referring to the 9-year-old eyewitness who allegedly saw the act.

Invisible Children was in the news for all the wrong reasons again as the "roadie house," a La Mesa home where as many as 50-60 interns for the organization live at any given time, has been getting complaints from some of its neighbors on Maiden Lane.