Concerned Citizen Conducts Welfare Check, Finds Man Dead in His Apartment NR09528SF

November 4, 2009

Los Angeles: Hollywood detectives are investigating the murder of a man who was found in his apartment.

Yesterday, at 5:01 p.m., officers from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Hollywood Division drove to the 1700 block of North Cherokee Avenue to follow up on a reported death investigation.  When the officers arrived at the apartment, they found a 52-year-old male Hispanic not breathing and unresponsive.  Paramedics from the Los Angeles City Fire Department also arrived at the location and pronounced the victim dead at 5:15 p.m.       

LAPD Hollywood Area homicide detectives said "the victim was discovered by a maintenance man who went to the victim’s apartment to conduct a welfare check. According to those who knew the victim, he had not been seen for several days."

Evidence at the crime scene indicates that the victim was murdered.  The cause of death will be determined after the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office completes their examination.   
   
The victim’s name is being withheld pending notification of his family.   

Information regarding this crime may be directed to the Hollywood Area Homicide Unit at 213-972-2910, or 213-972-2911. After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247) or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD.  Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website:  www.lapdonline.org.  All tips may remain anonymous.