Grandmother Nearly Unrecognizable After Beating During Home Invasion

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - A 93-year-old grandmother was so severely beaten, her neck was broken in a violent home invasion. She's expected to survive, but she has a long road to recovery.

"She's the glue that holds our whole family together," grandson Robert Keszler said. "She's one of the most amazing people I know."

Irene Keszler, beloved grandmother, mother, and married 71 years, was beaten so badly that a sheriff's deputy had to step outside and throw up after seeing her injuries.

"The injuries she sustained could have easily killed her," said Robert.

Robert, a doctor, says his grandmother, who was healthy and full of life at 93, is now almost unrecognizable.

The person who did this is "an incredibly evil person," said Robert. "Who could treat another human being this way, and have absolutely no regard for a 93-year-old person, who's completely defenseless?"

San Joaquin Sheriff's Deputies are searching for the attacker who broke into Irene's home south of Lodi and hit her repeatedly in the face, leaving her with a concussion and breaking her neck.

"It was one of the most brutal things I've ever seen in my life," said Robert.

Irene's known and loved by so many in Lodi. She and her 96-year-old husband, John, are still active at their church. Even now, she would volunteer by serving meals at the senior center.

"She's very genuine. She's one of a kind," family friend Chelli Seefried said. "The world would be lost without her."

It's an incomprehensible attack, but for what?

The robber took two TVs and some silverware.

"If they do this to my grandma, they do it to your grandma. They do it to your wife, your child," said Robert. "They need to be removed from society as fast as possible."