Delmus Eugene Wilkerson, 71

Delmus Eugene Wilkerson, a 71-year-old black man, died of suffocation Saturday, Aug. 27, in the 800 block of West 134th Street in Compton, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records. 

Wilkerson lived in a shed on the property, which he was renting from the homeowner, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. John Corina.

Investigators believe Wilkerson was selling drugs from his residence and was killed when two men came inside his home early that morning and tried to rob him, Corina said. 

Someone at the residence called 911 upon finding Wilkerson’s body, Corina said. 

Wilkerson was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:43 a.m. The coroner’s office later ruled the death a homicide by asphyxiation. 

Investigators believe someone put a plastic bag over Wilkerson's head during the robbery, Corina said. 

Witness reports led to the arrest that night of one suspect: Timothy Lee Blaxon, a 54-year-old black man who lived in the neighborhood, Corina said. Investigators are still searching for the second suspect, described as a black male. 

Blaxon pleaded not guilty on Aug. 30, when he was arraigned on charges of murder, burglary and two counts of robbery, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court records. His next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 14 at the Compton courthouse.  

Anyone with information about the case 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.