Murder Victim Identified from Burned Car in Sylmar
The body of the man firefighters found in the burning Lexus, May 24, 2014, has been identified as Jose Alberto Martinez, 26, from Berkeley, California.
Martinez was the registered owner of the burned out car that detectives believe was purposely torched to destroy evidence of the crime. "The smell of gasoline was very apparent at the crime scene," said Lt. Paul Vernon, head of detectives for LAPD's Mission Police Station. "Much of the car's insides were destroyed. The car was a total loss."
While Martinez lived in Berkeley, he was not a student. He had no criminal record and held a security guard card through the State of California.
Detectives confirmed that Martinez was not shot, as previously surmised, but his cause of death was not conclusively determined. "The fire was started to cover the crime, but not to kill him," Vernon said.
Anyone with information is urged to call Det. Ryan Verna, Mission Homicide Unit, at (818) 838-9976. Anonymous tips can be called in to Crimestoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters "LAPD." Online tips may be placed at WWW.LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.
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