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Brian Edward Denton Jr., 23

Brian Edward Denton Jr. (2016-01-05)

Brian Edward Denton Jr., a 23-year-old black man, was found dead Tuesday, Jan. 5, in the 300 block of East 5th Street in downtown, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Shortly before 8:30 a.m., a person discovered Denton on the floor of an apartment in the early stages of decomposition, LAPD Det. Doug Pierce said.

Police determined that the resident of the apartment, Michael Campbell, a 49-year-old black man, was their primary suspect. Campbell had gotten into a dispute with Denton, leading to the killing.

Denton died of blunt-force trauma, coroner's officials determined.

Police believe Denton was killed on or around New Year’s Eve, Pierce said.

Campbell has been charged with one count of murder and is due in court Jan. 28 for an arraignment, according to a Los Angeles County district attorney’s office spokesman.

Anyone with information is asked to call Central Homicide detectives at (213) 996-1891. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @nicolesantacruz and @latimeshomicide on Twitter.

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