California

Cousin Arrested in Stabbing Death of Pasadena Couple

Police have not yet commented on a motive for the altercation, which left a popular culinary instructor and his wife dead.

The cousin of a couple fatally stabbed during an altercation in their Pasadena apartment has been arrested in connection with their murders.

Jacob Mallory Bersson, 29, of Pasadena, was booked on suspicion of murder early Tuesday morning at a medical facility of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s jail, Pasadena police said in a statement.

Police did not release information on a possible motive for the attack.

Bersson was cut on his arm during the altercation Monday and was taken to a local hospital before his arrest.

Lawrence Bressler, 50, and his wife, Denise Bressler, 64, were fatally stabbed inside the apartment they shared with Bersson at 20 N. Madison Ave.

Lawrence Bressler called 911 during the altercation and identified Bersson, police said. Bersson was arrested one block from the apartment. The Bresslers were transported to local hospitals, and later died from their injuries.

He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Lawrence Bressler was a popular culinary instructor at Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena and the director of operations at Chefs Center of California, which serves as an incubator kitchen for people interested in starting their own food companies. 

Kim Baldonado and Toni Guinyard contributed to this report.

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