Suspect who Murdered and Set Victim on Fire Wanted NR19249ti

Encino: The Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division is seeking the public’s help in identifying both the victim and the suspect of murder.

During the early morning hours of September 10, 2019, detectives assigned to Robbery-Homicide Division, Homicide Special Section were notified of a fire-related death investigation that occurred within the Los Angeles River Basin adjacent to 6400 Balboa Boulevard. A badly charred body had been placed in a shopping cart and left abandoned. In addition to the burned body, detectives were informed that Los Angeles City Fire Department personnel had responded earlier in the morning to a reported brush fire that was a short distance east of where the decedent’s body was later recovered. The assigned Robbery Homicide Division investigative teams, along with Los Angeles City Fire Department Arson investigators created two independent crime scenes, both were within the large perimeter of Balboa Park.

On September 13, 2019, the decedent’s remains were examined at the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner’s Office. The results of which determined the decedent died as a result of homicide. The decedent’s identity remains unknown and will remain identified as John Doe #225 until further.

It is not known if the victim was a transient, or if he came into the area for another reason and was murdered. This incident has no apparent connection to any other recent arson related incidents or homicides in the City.

Anyone with information, please contact Detective II Matthew Casalicchio, or Detective III Tim Marcia, Robbery-Homicide Division, Homicide Special Section, at (213) 486-6890. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to (323) 421-2577 or 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.