Alexander Alfredo Morales, 47

Alexander Alfredo Morales, a 47-year-old Latino, was pronounced dead on Tuesday, March 7, after he was shot in the wash of the San Gabriel River near the corner of Sierra Madre and Todd avenues in Azusa, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records. 

The Azusa Police Department got an anonymous phone call that afternoon about a dead person in the wash, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. Troy Ewing. 

Officers talked to a man who lived in one of the homeless encampments in the riverbed and knew the location of the body, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. Troy Ewing. 

Morales was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:30 p.m., according to coroner’s records, which listed the cause of death as gunshot wounds to the chest. 

Ewing said investigators believe he was shot three to five days before his body was found. 

Investigators don't have a motive for the shooting or any suspect information, Ewing said. 

The man who directed officers to Morales’ body didn’t know who he was, Ewing said. “He [Morales] lived in an encampment but not close to the area where he was found,” Ewing said. “The riverbed is about a quarter mile wide, and there are multiple encampments in the area.” 

Morales had family who lived in Azusa, Ewing said. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.  

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @latimeshomicide on Twitter.