Van Nuys: On Monday, January 14, 2002, at approximately 2:15 p.m., Van Nuys patrol officers responded to a radio call of a dead body at 14300 block of Friar Street. Upon arrival at the location, officers found the victim, a male White, 63 years old, resident of the Van Nuys area, beaten to death from blunt force trauma to the upper torso. It appears that the victim had been dead for a few days prior to the discovery. He was found by an ex-roommate who went to the location to make a welfare check on him. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by responding Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics.

The victim's name is not available pending notification of next of kin. No motive for the murder has been established and no witnesses to the incident have been found.

Anyone with information should contact the Van Nuys Homicide Unit at 818-756-8377 during business hours. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Jason Lee, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.