Harlem Globetrotters Co-Founder is Found Dead at his Residence

June 6, 2000

Los Angeles – On Saturday, May 27, 2000 at approximately 8:40 p.m., the bodies of Albert and Edna Patton were found inside their apartment in the 2800 block of South LaBrea Avenue by a neighbor. Albert and Edna Patton were stabbed and they appeared to have been deceased for several hours. The motive at this time appears to be Robbery, and there is no suspect description.

Mr. Patton was a co-founder with Abe Saperstein in 1925 of the Harlem Globetrotters Basketball Team. Mr. Patton was a prominent citizen in the Los Angeles area, he had been honored numerous times for his contributions and service to the community.

The Southwest Homicide Detectives are handling this investigation and anyone with information to this incident is asked to contact Detective Pete Razanskas and Rick Gordon at 213-485-7552.

UPDATE:

Southwest Homicide Detectives are going to be holding a Press Conference along with Mr. Patton’s Family today, May 28, 2000 at Southwest Community Police Station at 1:00 p.m.

Southwest Community Police Station
1546 W. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Los Angeles, Ca. 90062

For additional information in regards to this incident, please contact Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.

This press release was prepared by Officer Marlo Lopez del Haro.