Man Killed In Downey, Suspect Arrested
DOWNEY (CBSLA.com) – A man who lived on the same property as the victim has been arrested on murder charges in the killing of another man in Downey Monday night.
At about 5:30 p.m. The victim's girlfriend discovered his body in the backyard of their home in the 12200 block of Horley Avenue, said Downey police Lt. Alex Irizabal. The victim appeared to have been stabbed and possibly shot. His name was not released.
Based on evidence at the scene and witness statements, detectives arrested 31-year-old Robert Joseph Benitez Jr., who lives with his girlfriend in a home on the same property as the victim's, police said.
Benitez's girlfriend is the sister of the victim's girlfriend, police added.
Police did not immediately disclose what evidence was found in the investigation or the nature of the witness statements, and the motive for the killing was under investigation.
Benitez was arrested outside his girlfriend's parent's home in Whittier, Irizabal said. He was booked on suspicion of murder, the lieutenant said.
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