Two Men Found Buried in Backyard

Los Angeles:  Grim discovery made in the rear yard of a Rampart Area apartment complex.

At about 9:00 a.m.  yesterday , a 911 call summoned Rampart Patrol officers to an apartment located  in the 2800 block of London Street in Rampart Area.  The female caller reported that she had discovered household items from the residence, soaked in apparent blood, and suspiciously discarded in the rear yard.

Responding officers discovered splatters of apparent blood on the walls and floors of the apartment known to be the residence of, Ronald Samuel Mendez, 21 years of age, Donald Antonio Mendez, 53 years of age and father of Ronald, and Douglas Mendez, 55 years of age. The bodies of Donald Antonio Mendez and Douglas Mendez were discovered in a shallow grave in the rear yard.  Both men died from apparent blunt force injuries.

Investigators are looking for Ronald  Mendez as a person of interest.  Ronald Mendez is believed to be the son and nephew of the deceased.  He is known to drive a 1986 4-door tan or gold Mercedes Benz with the California license plate number 5DJW317.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Ronald Mendez, is asked to contact Rampart Homicide Detectives Julian Pere or George Lee at 213-484-3650.  After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 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 will remain anonymous.