An elderly Refugio County woman is recovering after being sexually assaulted by a man authorities died during the crime.
It all happened in the rural community of Tivoli earlier this month.
Refugio County Sheriff's Office deputies reported that 53-year-old Isabel Chavelo Gutierrez was in the middle of raping a 77-year-old woman back on June 2nd when he suddenly dropped dead.
Investigators said they believe Gutierrez had seen the victim at a local post office the day before and rode his bicycle to her home.
He reportedly found the woman asleep in bed, woke her up by holding a pocket knife to her and demanded sex.
Gutierrez reportedly told the woman he needed to rest and then died.
The elderly woman left her home to get help. Deputies found Gutierrez's body in her house.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death for Gutierrez.
Texas Department of Public Safety records show that Gutierrez is a convicted sex offender who served 10 years in prison for molesting a 7-year-old girl back in 1982.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKGBT