Man Beat Woman to Death, Breaking Nearly Every Bone in Her Face: Police

September 2, 2024 Sharon Banks

A man from Maryland has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for the brutal killing of a woman, leaving her so severely beaten that nearly every bone in her face was broken, authorities said.

58-year-old Clarence Henson, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder the previous month, received his sentence on Thursday for the murder of 37-year-old Audra Pineda.

The tragic incident occurred on the evening of January 30, 2023. School surveillance cameras captured Henson and Pineda together behind Lansdowne Middle School that night. The following morning, a 13-year-old student arriving at school discovered Pineda’s bloodied body, prompting a lockdown and shocking the community.

According to court documents, the medical examiner later determined that Pineda had died from multiple blunt force injuries and strangulation, with nearly every bone in her face broken.

“He preyed on a woman who was in the throes of addiction,” Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Fuller said. “He lures her back behind that middle school, and he pummels her to death.”

The discovery of Pineda’s body had a profound impact on the school community. The principal sent a letter to parents addressing the grim scene, and parents expressed their shock and concern. One parent recounted how their daughter had called them, alarmed by the situation at the school, and had urged them to pick her up.

Police quickly identified Henson as the suspect. He surrendered at a police station after seeing himself on the news and realizing he was wanted in connection with the homicide.

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During his court appearance on Thursday, Henson apologized and attributed his actions to the influence of drugs and alcohol, compounded by the grief of losing his daughter to a murder that occurred in 2022.