Ricardo Contreras, 45. (KTLA / July 19, 2009) |
WESTCHESTER -- A 45-year-old realtor found murdered inside a Westchester home being shown to a prospective buyer was reportedly tied to a 1998 fraud and murder case.
Ricardo Contreras -- a real estate agent and notary public -- was accused in a wrongful death lawsuit of notarizing documents used by his sister in a $2 million real estate fraud scheme that led to the murders of an elderly San Pedro couple, the Daily Breeze reported.
Rosalba Contreras is serving two life terms in the murders of 79-year-old Valentine Partida and his 91-year-old wife Elvira. Rosalba Contreras reportedly emptied the couple's bank account and, when confronted, repeatedly hit Valentine Partida in the head with a hammer, the paper reported. She then reportedly slashed Elvira Partida's arms and neck with a razor and set fire to their home, apparently in an effort to destroy fraudulent documents kept at the house. Both victims died as a result of the fire.
Ricardo Contreras was not criminally charged in the scheme, according to the Breeze. There was no immediate evidence tying the two cases together.
Ricardo Contreras' body was found around 7 p.m. Saturday inside a home located at 8917 Kittyhawk Avenue. He had been missing since Tuesday evening when he didn't return home from work, according to his family, who put out fliers in an effort to find the father of five.
Police at the scene said a real estate agent was preparing to show the three-bedroom, two-bath house when she discovered the key was missing from the lockbox.
The agent then went with the client to the backyard and noticed a window had been broken.
Upon further investigation, they found the body of a man lying motionless on the living room floor, officials said.
The real estate agent called police, who had to wear masks inside the home because of the odor.
Paramedics pronounced Contreras dead at the scene.
It's unclear how long he had been dead.
An autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday, but early reports indicated that the agent had been stabbed to death, according to Assistant Coroner Chief Ed Winter.
Police detectives called the death a homicide, and said a white car on the street may have belonged to the victim. Detectives towed the car to a police station for further investigation.
Family members told KTLA that Contreras was stabbed multiple times.
It wasn't immediately clear if Contreras was killed inside the house.
Investigators, searching for a motive in the murder, say Contreras was not robbed and still had his wallet, wedding ring and other personal belongings, including a laptop, in his possession.
The 1900-square foot house is owned by the bank and was being listed by the Modern Realty Co. for more than a half-million dollars.
Ricardo Contreras -- a real estate agent and notary public -- was accused in a wrongful death lawsuit of notarizing documents used by his sister in a $2 million real estate fraud scheme that led to the murders of an elderly San Pedro couple, the Daily Breeze reported.
Rosalba Contreras is serving two life terms in the murders of 79-year-old Valentine Partida and his 91-year-old wife Elvira. Rosalba Contreras reportedly emptied the couple's bank account and, when confronted, repeatedly hit Valentine Partida in the head with a hammer, the paper reported. She then reportedly slashed Elvira Partida's arms and neck with a razor and set fire to their home, apparently in an effort to destroy fraudulent documents kept at the house. Both victims died as a result of the fire.
Ricardo Contreras was not criminally charged in the scheme, according to the Breeze. There was no immediate evidence tying the two cases together.
Ricardo Contreras' body was found around 7 p.m. Saturday inside a home located at 8917 Kittyhawk Avenue. He had been missing since Tuesday evening when he didn't return home from work, according to his family, who put out fliers in an effort to find the father of five.
Police at the scene said a real estate agent was preparing to show the three-bedroom, two-bath house when she discovered the key was missing from the lockbox.
The agent then went with the client to the backyard and noticed a window had been broken.
Upon further investigation, they found the body of a man lying motionless on the living room floor, officials said.
The real estate agent called police, who had to wear masks inside the home because of the odor.
Paramedics pronounced Contreras dead at the scene.
It's unclear how long he had been dead.
An autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday, but early reports indicated that the agent had been stabbed to death, according to Assistant Coroner Chief Ed Winter.
Police detectives called the death a homicide, and said a white car on the street may have belonged to the victim. Detectives towed the car to a police station for further investigation.
Family members told KTLA that Contreras was stabbed multiple times.
It wasn't immediately clear if Contreras was killed inside the house.
Investigators, searching for a motive in the murder, say Contreras was not robbed and still had his wallet, wedding ring and other personal belongings, including a laptop, in his possession.
The 1900-square foot house is owned by the bank and was being listed by the Modern Realty Co. for more than a half-million dollars.
