Man charged in sexual assault, killing of 92-year-old woman

HOUSTON Dean Jerome Wood, 50, is accused in the death of Flora Ryan, 92. Wood was charged with aggravated sexual assault of an elderly person on August 22, but the charge was upgraded to murder yesterday.

Police say officers were dispatched to assist HFD personnel with an individual, later identified as Wood, causing a disturbance on the scene of a sick call at 1300 Redford. Officers arrived and were advised that an elderly woman had been found by a relative unresponsive in a bathtub. Ryan was transported to Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Officers detained Wood and he was booked into jail on outstanding warrants. Further investigation revealed he sexually assaulted Ryan.