Downey man found dead in backyard; murder suspect arrested in Whittier

DOWNEY – A homicide was discovered at a home in the 12200 block of Horley Avenue in the early evening hours on Monday.

At around 5:30 p.m., a woman who lives in the front house of the property returned home and found her boyfriend deceased in the backyard of the home, according to Lt. Alex Irizabal of the Downey Police Department.

The victim, whose identity has been withheld by officials in order to give the family of the deceased time to notify other family members, appears to have been stabbed and possibly shot.

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No further specifics into the victim’s injuries have been released due to the pending investigation.

The property where the body was discovered is residential with a front and back house. The back house is occupied by a woman and her boyfriend. This woman is the sister of the woman who resides in the front house.
 
Based on evidence at the scene and witness statements detectives believe that the boyfriend who resides in the rear house, identified as 31 year-old Robert Joseph Benitez, is responsible for the homicide. The motive for killing is still being investigated, Irizabal said.

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Benitez was located outside his girlfriend’s parent’s home in the city of Whittier and was arrested without incident. He is being booked for murder, authorities said.
 
Anyone with information relating to this crime is encouraged to contact Detective Ron Gee at (562) 904-2331, or may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8447) to provide information anonymously.