- Wednesday December 3rd, 2025 :: 04:18 p.m. PST
*UPDATE* #LASD Homicide Detectives make arrest in Murder Investigation, Challenger Way & Avenue E-8, #Lancaster
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Investigators are announcing the arrest of 56-year-old Michael Lloyd Bates Jr. for the murder of 42-year-old Iesha Massey. Iesha Massey was reported missing by concerned family members on October 16, 2025. On November 19, 2025, her body was found at the intersection of Challenger Way & Avenue E-8, in the city of Lancaster in the Antelope Valley.
On Sunday, November 30, 2025, Homicide Bureau detectives located and arrested Suspect Michael Lloyd Bates Jr. in the city of Lancaster in Los Angeles County. Suspect Bates is being held on 2-million-dollar bail and was charged with one count of murder.
For additional information or inquiries regarding this case, please contact the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Media Relations at (213) 257-2000 or email them at [email protected].
There is no additional information at this time.
If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org,
Forwarded by:
Sheriff's Information Bureau
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
211 West Temple Street
Los Angeles California 90012
http://www.lasd.org
213-229-1700
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Robert G. Luna, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Address/Location
LASD - Los Angeles County Sheriffs Dept Information Bureau (SIB)
211 W Temple St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 213-229-1700
