An elderly hiker has died after allegedly being brutally beaten over sticks being stacked beside a woodland trail.
William ‘Bill’ Spenceley was discovered with devastating head injuries and airlifted to hospital for emergency treatment.
He was left needing round-the-clock care and was unable to speak or eat without a feeding tube, according to updates published by his family.
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Shawn S. Kolpak has been charged with attempted murder and aggravated mayhem in connection with the alleged attack, as reported by Need To Know.
Prosecutors allege that Kolpak attacked Mr Spenceley with his fists after becoming angry because the pensioner had been stacking sticks along the trail.
The claim emerged during a preliminary court hearing.
Court filings allege that Mr Spenceley was left comatose because of a brain injury and suffered permanent paralysis.
The incident took place on 30 January in Arcata Community Forest in Northern California, US.
Now eight months later, the victim has died.
Kolpak, 51, has pleaded not guilty and denies the charges against him.
He remains in custody in Humboldt County Jail without bail and is reportedly due to appear in court again on 16 October.
At the time of writing, no homicide charge had been publicly announced following the victim’s death.
Known to his loved ones as Bill, Mr Spenceley was a devoted outdoorsman who had spent decades exploring the trails around Arcata.
He was a familiar and friendly face in the forest, where family and friends said he would regularly greet fellow walkers with a smile.
Bill also dedicated 34 years of his working life to the Humboldt Community Access and Resource Center, which provides services and support to people with disabilities.
His family said he remained determined throughout the eight months following the alleged attack and had desperately wanted to return to the home he loved.
Plans for a memorial service are expected to be announced by his family once arrangements have been made.
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