Citizen Discovers Dead Body Lying on Roadway

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, October 26, 1999
On Monday, October 25, 1999, at approximately 7:30 a.m., a citizen reported finding a body lying in the roadway of the 18000 block of Sesnon Street, in the Granada Hills portion of Devonshire Area. Paramedics and Devonshire Area patrol officers responded, whereupon the victim, Lloyd Pershing Young, an 81 year-old resident of Granada Hills, was pronounced dead at the scene. The initial responding officers suspected possible foul play due to the condition of the body, and notified Devonshire Homicide personnel.

Prior to the arrival of the detectives, a male arrived at the scene in a white van, and identified himself to the officers as the stepson of the decedent. The officers believed the male was acting nervously, and observed particular items within the van which led them to believe the male may somehow be involved in the crime. He was detained for questioning and transported to Devonshire Station. He has been identified as John Richard Diamond, a 38 year-old resident of Granada Hills, who lived with his mother and the decedent.

Homicide detectives processed the crime scene and the van, with the assistance of LAPD SID technicians. Further investigation revealed evidence related to the decedent was discovered at their Granada Hills home, located in the 17500 block of Orna Drive, which investigators believed connected Diamond to the crime. Diamond was arrested and booked on suspicion of murder, at Devonshire Station, and subsequently transported to Van Nuys Jail Division.

The investigation in continuing, including autopsy results, prior to presentation to the District Attorney.

For Release 7:55 am PST
October 26, 1999