Lakeside Nurse Killed When She Finds Burglar in Home

A Lakeside nurse returning home from work Wednesday night was stabbed to death as she entered her house and startled a burglar, authorities reported.

“Apparently she interrupted a burglary that was taking place,” Sheriff’s Lt. John Tenwolde said. He added that there was evidence that jewelry was missing and a back door had been forced open.

Rebecca E. Tasa, 39, a registered nurse who ended her daily shift at 7:45 p.m. at Kaiser Hospital in Mission Gorge, was discovered by her husband, Abelardo (Larry) Tasa, when he arrived home at 9:30 p.m. from the La Mesa restaurant he owns.

According to Tenwolde, Larry Tasa entered the front door of his home on Green Lane, and found his wife lying inside the door. He immediately ran to his neighbor’s home and phoned the Sheriff’s Department.

A medical examiner said preliminary reports indicate Rebecca Tasa died of multiple stab wounds to the neck from a knife discovered on the floor near her. He said it was too early to determine if she had been sexually assaulted.

Rebecca Tasa had worked in the intensive care unit at Kaiser Hospital since January, 1990, and lived alone with her husband, a hospital spokesman said.

“Everyone is still very much in shock,” said spokesman John McBride. “You can’t be ready for something like this.”