Alexander Merman, 35 [Update]

Alexander "Sasha" Merman, a 35-year-old white man, was found dead in his condominium in the 500 block of Montana Avenue in Santa Monica about 8:05 p.m. Wednesday, March 19.

The Santa Monica Police Department said the building manager discovered the body and dialed 911. According to police, the building manager had been asked by Merman's mother to check on her son after she was unable to reach him by phone for several days.

Santa Monica police said Merman had died from blunt-force trauma. However, an autopsy performed Saturday revealed that Merman had died from multiple stab wounds, according to L.A. County coroner investigator Elissa Fleak.

Merman, an artist, was born in Moscow and immigrated with his mother to Los Angeles in 1985. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1992, and in 1998 graduated from Otis College of Art and Design with a bachelor of fine arts degree in illustration, according to his website, Sasha's Illusions.

[Updated March 2, 2012: Husband and wife arrested in 2008 slaying in Santa Monica]