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Burned Body of Man Found Near Hermon Dog Park Friday

Police believe the deceased may have been homeless.

The Los Angeles Police and Fire Departments are in the middle of an investigation into the cause of death of a man whose burned body was found near the Route 110 South exit on Avenue 60 Friday morning.

"They found a male deceased in suspicious circumstances at around 5:30 a.m. on Friday morning in the park area at Avenue 60 and Arroyo Drive, LAPD Sgt. Sanford Rosenberg told Patch. "The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a call of fire. The man's body was burned."

Rosenberg said the police and fire department are currently "in the middle of an investigation" to determine if the fire was sparked accidentally or if somebody intentionally tried to burn the victim.

Police were unable to provide an identification for the deceased.

"We believe he was a transient," Rosenberg said.

Check back with Patch for more details as we get them.

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Amy April 6, 2012 at 03:58 pm
It's not the transients that are the problem. It's the criminals who prey on them.
Denise April 6, 2012 at 04:09 pm
Was on my way to Food4Less in Highland Park via 110 fwy from Pasadena and saw all the detectives at the park. I saw the yellow tape and looked like a tarp on the ground...gave me the chills. Knowing that probably there was a body there. Got home and checked up on it. To me this park has always been bad news. I wish they would build something there. Way too many gang members and druggies hang out at this CLOSED park.
Steve April 6, 2012 at 04:14 pm
How a person can light a human being on fire is beyond me.
Alex Ortiz April 6, 2012 at 06:05 pm
I can tell from your first sentence that you are not from Highland Park. Also because you shop at Food4Less instead of Figueroa Produce or Fresco Community Market. Anyway, please don't say things that are not true. There are no gang members or druggies hanging out at Herman Park on either side of the freeway. And the occasional youngster in dark baggy clothes smoking weed never bothered me or any of the other folks at the park.
batgirl4u69 April 6, 2012 at 09:21 pm
According To José Huizar Hermon Was Suppose Too Have The Lowest Crime Rates In All Of Hollenbeck I don"t Think So It"s Rose Hills That Has The Lowest"
JosephR April 7, 2012 at 06:42 am
Avenue 60 at Arroyo Drive is not in Hermon, and neither is the southbound entrance to the 110. Both are actually in Highland Park, on the west side of the freeway, near a different, disjointed part of the "Arroyo Seco" chain or parks that runs alongside the HP side of the Freeway and has a designation as being the "Avenue 60" portion of the park. Hermon Dog Park is over on the east side of the 110 (and next to the northbound entrance to the freeway). A horrible crime, wherever it happened, but it will be interesting to find out where this actually did take place. The police spokesman quoted (Rosenberg) is, I believe, from Northeast Div. which doesn't normally deal with Hermon calls, except to backup Hollenbeck officers -- who would be handling this if it was on the east side of the freeway, instead.
There was, however, about 2-3 years ago, a different burned-body homicide that took place on a foot-bridge that runs between Hermon Park (proper) and a different piece of the park off Via Marisol, across the Arroyo. Police determined that time it was drug deal gone bad involving a Pasadena resident.
Rob Schraff April 7, 2012 at 10:25 am
Hermon doesn't exist, certainly not as a fixed border, and hasn't existed for 100 years except in the mind of few professional PR flacks (at least one of whom, Joe, has a history of working for the corrupt PR firm Fleishman-Hillard ). "Hermon" park "proper" is indeed part of the Arroyo Seco Park, as is the "Hermon" dog park, and all these uses of "Hermon" are simply PR fabulations of the Risers.
I just wonder how the money is going to work for the latest Riser PR platform, the "Hermon" Neighborhood Council, now that the Hermon reps on the ASNC board have been mis-spending and forging signatures. Really, the City is going to give the likes of the Risers and Mark Legassie their own NC!?
Joe Walker April 7, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Yes, Rob, there is a Hermon. It exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Hermon. It would be as dreary as if there were no Rob's or Joe Riser's. There would be no neighborhood faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which neighborhood pride and identity fills the world would be extinguished. Yes, Rob, there is indeed a Hermon...burning bodies in parks and all.
(With apologies and thanks to the public domain and original text by Frances Church)
Rob Schraff April 7, 2012 at 01:00 pm
Good one, Joe. And I cannot deny the truth that Hermon lives in my imagination. Of course, it's in a place called Boosterland, where people use the the location of dead bodies to define and promote the limits of their own 'hood.
bobo April 7, 2012 at 02:12 pm
Excuse us un proper Highland Park folk.
Nothing bad can happen if you live in Hermon.
90042 April 7, 2012 at 11:35 pm
90042 is highland park it's still the hood,hermon,garvanza etc...welcome to the neighborhood newbies try to avoid wearing dodgers,Oakland A's baseball caps to name a few.
ChickenBoyFan April 8, 2012 at 12:23 pm
I remember when a burned body was found on the bridge going over to the panhandle that SHOULD HAVE BEEN the dog park. Hermon DP is a terrible excuse for a dog park. "their claim that Hermon dog park was voted "one of the ten best dog parks in the country" is hyperbole, and stinks of egotism. If the panhandle were the proper dog park, it would be lit, locked at night, and properly fenced. No one would have had a chance to burn a body on the bridge, because it would have been lit up. At this rate, these areas running alongside the 110 are just little no mans lands, inviting "cover of darkness" crime. Hey, Mr. Huizar, these ARE your "pocket parks". I know there will be some smack-back from my clucking opinion, so I'm going to go gird my drumsticks. Meanwhile..... Happy Easter!!!
New Homeowner April 8, 2012 at 03:44 pm
I just bought a home in the last two years near that park and I see people park all day to go take jogs, ride their bikes or walk their dogs in that park. I also see a lot of families walking there to use it. I've never seen anyone there up to no good.
Margarito Martinez April 9, 2012 at 02:20 am
There is only no good going on after dark, and true, at certain times of the day crime does take place. If you call consuming alcoholic beverages in public, pet owners ignoring leash laws, youth smoking dope, acts of prostitution "crime."
Joe Walker April 9, 2012 at 10:14 am
Light heardedness aside, Arroyo Dr and Ave 60 is definitely not Hermon. That little valley of homes has had problems with the park under the bridge for generations. So much so that the green space has been blocked off with metal barriers for years.
LWags April 9, 2012 at 02:41 pm
Um...Well call me old fashioned, but as a mother of two young children who I have taken to that park, I do consider being drunk in public, pot smoking by youths that should be in school, and prostitution a "crime"
God forbid we actually discourage such things from taking place in our neighborhood parks, be it Hermon or Highland Park.
Margarito Martinez April 9, 2012 at 11:09 pm
LWags...I am a god fearing man and not at all pleased with the kinds of activities I described taking place, and yes, most definitely illegal and should not be incouraged by any means. However, as Joe Walker has observed these problems have been going on for generations. All our community representatives can do is ask LAPD Northeast Division for increased police patrols and if we are lucky we will get it...for awhile. Then, for what ever reason, things will quickly get back to business as usual. It's a fact of life around here for Every Northeast Community. Like it or not, what happens in Glassell Park, or Cypress Park, or Lincoln Hieghts effects me in a very real way. Whether I reside in Hermon, Highland Park, San Pasquel or Mount Washington. We just have to learn the lessons from this tragedy of a human being, for whatever reason, lost thier life.
Pascual Hahamovic April 11, 2012 at 02:56 pm
The dog park is a fenced off pen of dust located east of Hermon Park (that is what its called) through a tunnel under the 110 exit above. Also, there are junkie transients living quite openly in an encampment behind the tennis courts. Anyone who doesnt know that has never spent more than a few seconds in Hermon Park. The Parks and Rec employees that have a yard in Hermon Park are well aware of these people - Ive seen them chatting many times.
Margarito Martinez April 11, 2012 at 05:03 pm
There are homeless encampments all up and down the Arroyo Park system from Avenue 43 to South Pasadena boarder and beyond. As far as the 'junkies", as you put it, LAPD is aware of increased herion sales in the area supposedly originating from the homeless crowd that daily squat at the York & Figueroa flag pole. That's another story...
As far as the burn victem, I rode down there today to see for myself. The body was obviously found under the Avenue 60 bridge, directly next to the park and not in the closed park itself. No homeless person would be camped there, as I first imagined. Most disturbing is the freshly painted tag of one of L.A.'s most deadly street gangs, in bright red, directly over the spot where the victem was found. This was no accident. It is inconcievable that someone could ignite themselves on fire and burn to death along the street curb. Since police have said this was a "transient" don't expect any real efforts to discover the truth behind this hienous crime. I don't have to explain why not. My comments on the Hermon Dog Park are that that dog park is a joke! I would never in a million years subject my pet to being penned in that small dirt lot they call a "park." Anyone who has any experiance with the other Dog Parks in the city knows full well that Hermon's is sorely lacking.
Concerned Family Member April 14, 2012 at 01:54 am
Do u guys think u can give me a little bit more information because we can't find our family member and he just to stay o
around that area?
Margarito Martinez April 14, 2012 at 02:12 am
Concerned Family Member, please call LAPD as soon as you can! My Gosh, this poor man may have been murdered. No one cares, and this victem is already all but forgotten. I am praying for you, and the deceased. Try to get on NortheastLA Yahoo Group if you can. You might find help there, if the moderator/censor Joe Walker will let you. Just please do something!
Joe Walker April 14, 2012 at 10:27 am
Fred/Margarito, This person has not posted on the Northeast LA list, but if they did, their comments would be welcome.
Susan R April 14, 2012 at 12:45 pm
If anyone wants to see a real dog park, just go to the one next to the Los Angeles Zoo or the one in Silver Lake or the one in North Hollywood. Those are real dog parks.
ChickenBoyFan April 14, 2012 at 01:12 pm
Agreed Susan! The Dogpark on Mullholland/Laurel Canyon is as big as the area of Arroyo Seco Park, we call the panhandle. It is across the bridge, by the tennis courts, and runs along the 110. It is superb. It could have been the best dog park in town. Hermon's non-profit dog park could have been every bit as superb. What happened? I am always asking myself this.
Susan R April 14, 2012 at 02:37 pm
I don't think I have been to that one, I have to try it. Maybe people that like Harmon dog park can give it a look and see how their dog park can be improved.
Margarito Martinez April 14, 2012 at 08:01 pm
Agreed. Hermon Dog Park sucks. But has everyone forgotten this thread has to so with an unxplained death in the community? I wish the same energy put into critizing the dog park could be channeled into efforts trying to uncover the truth about a possible murder in town .And a murder of the most hienous kind.
Margarito Martinez April 14, 2012 at 11:13 pm
Mr. Schraff, you are a hypocrite and I find your comments negative and insulting. It's the same kind of counterproductive infantile antics that put the ASNC in the unfortunate circumstances they find themselves in. You yourself worked in advertising all your life. What's the difference between that and a PR Firm? The Walkers work hard for thier community and you were a paid shill for business. You should encourage Hermon residents in wanting to empower themselves, instead you chip in your same old bad energy. Exactly what you did when Cypress Park was trying for a NC. Now, you use an article about a tragic death in our nieghborhoods has an oppertunity to attack perfectly decent community activists, as well as an entire community it self! Please try to make future comments POSITIVE!
Margarito Martinez April 14, 2012 at 11:18 pm
In my comments replying to RShraff I spoke of the contributions of "The Walkers". I meant of course The Risers, who Mr. Schraff was attacking.
Rob Schraff April 15, 2012 at 11:25 am
For those interested in the history of Fred Brito, alias Margarito Martinez, a fascinating story of a local grifter and sexual predator, it is well worth going the local news list Joe owns, NortheatLA at yahoo! groups. You will have to join, but it's worth it. Or, just google "Fred Brito" if you are not interested in the alias.
Susan R April 15, 2012 at 11:42 am
There would be no neighborhood faith? What? Hearing an amplified sound system coming from Divine Saviour Catholic church is not a good neighborhood faith. That is forced religion and a separation of church and state. That is NOT being a good neighbor.
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
batgirl4u69 June 17, 2013 at 03:33 pm
All U Newbees Get Used To It, Its Been Going On 4 Many Decades
dee-aych June 17, 2013 at 05:49 pm
Ahhh, the ghetto mentality of "get used to it." Screw that. I want peace & quiet.Read More Some of those kids shooting off fireworks set my neighbor's house on fire a few years back. But I supposed you'll just tell me to get used to that as well.
Marge Piane June 17, 2013 at 06:37 pm
Yes. And, I suppose you could call me a "newbie", I've only lived here since '87.
Margarito Martinez June 15, 2013 at 10:54 am
Let me say, that this issue, alcohol sales, came up at our recent HHPNC LUC meeting. We nearlyRead More unanamously recommened against granting ANY more liqour licenses, with the exception of Full Service Resturants. My position is not that existing propritors want to sell booze pass 10PM. My problem is that they start selling alcolhol at 6, some 7 AM. That is unacceptable. Now, we can't force them not to, not yet... but we can ask, for the sake of those sick individuals who arem passed out on our sidewalks by 9AM, to voluntarily not sell booze until a decent hour. I suggest Noon. This can not be accomplished wothout the help of everyone who is concerned about the social problems inherent in Alcohol abuse, and the businesses that make that scourge possible.
nonoise June 16, 2013 at 07:16 am
And, a letter sent to the city councilmember would help. And, now CD1 has a new city councilmemberRead More Cedillo starting on July 1, 2013. And, we have a new city attorney starting July 1, 2013. So, make sure to send your letter to the new government authorities. Hopefully they will do more than the old "do nothings".
elmo June 16, 2013 at 12:33 pm
With a new mayor, council person, and city attorney, will the gang suppression/injunction stayRead More intact? Crime went down because the powers that were had grown up around, and knew the horror of gang oppression. So they did something about it. Will the new people continue the policy? Suddenly the neighborhoods felt safer. The rebirth of Highland Park, Glassell Park and even Eagle Rock wouldn't have happened without the gang suppression policies.
Jeanne June 4, 2013 at 03:17 am
Just attempted sign-up/payment with Visa on-line; wouldn't go through. Any suggestions? I'm ready toRead More get going, so very ready. Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Linda Filipiak June 4, 2013 at 05:16 am
Sorry you are having issues with this. I just looked at the link and it appears to be working, asRead More others have been able to pay. If you have a paypal account I would suggest trying that instead of Visa. Let me know if that does't work and we will find another option.
Marino Pascal June 4, 2013 at 10:17 am
On Facebook people have personal profiles and family and photos that they may not want to expose toRead More their neighbors. Also what is "Mount Washington"? Mount Washington is a residential community with an elementary school, a semi-open(semi-closed?) museum and nothing else. No restaurants, no stores, no middle school, no high school. It doesn't exist all by itself. It's part of Northeast LA. I think whether we like it or not, all of us in Northeast LA are dependent on each other.
Mark Nishinaka June 2, 2013 at 06:31 am
David was really good, but I think we need to give Ajay a chance to find his groove. Have to giveRead More him credit for not melding Eagle Rock news with Highland Park. I could see that being a problem.
Nimby pimp June 2, 2013 at 11:44 am
I agree. Give the new guy a chance to learn the ropes. It is astounding to hear so much whining fromRead More people about a service they get for free.
A Proud Garvanza Teacher June 6, 2013 at 08:34 pm
Based on personal experience, David was always responsive to emails and genuinely seemed to want toRead More support a variety of organizations, schools, and topics in his selection of stories. I find myself checking out the news on the Patch must less regularly now.
Anne Colburn May 29, 2013 at 10:21 am
I agree, change is good but this new site is way way too busy plus the coloring is too light.Read More Sorry, I no longer read it on a daily basis.
KingSlav May 30, 2013 at 12:55 pm
Comments on the site have dropped precipitously since the new format was rolled out. This follows aRead More drop in the number of daily stories. Does anyone read Patch anymore?
Gma May 30, 2013 at 01:00 pm
Not really I haven't in months maybe even a year! Not very interesting. My daughter hates it too.Read More Keep on losing readers.
KingSlav May 30, 2013 at 12:15 pm
It's not surprising to read this. There are unleashed, untagged, unlicensed chihuahuas runningRead More around my street in Garvanza almost every day. I'm frequently having to call the Department of Animal Services. Irresponsible dog owners are a real nuisance to our community.
Erik May 24, 2013 at 07:31 pm
Just noticed myself the other day. This is across all Patch sites. Very disappointed in thisRead More oversight.
KingSlav June 3, 2013 at 08:14 pm
This new website format really does need an RSS feed. The site is all over the place. Please add aRead More feed ASAP.
nonoise May 19, 2013 at 11:17 am
False? Wrong!! I have the letter as proof. Did "no way, Jose" write the letter? IfRead More patch wants to see it, let me know. It is the truth.
nonoise May 20, 2013 at 08:01 am
I want peace and quiet in my home. "No way, Jose" believes I should not have peace andRead More quiet in my home. That is a dicatator.