Richard Anthony Melgar, 37

Richard Anthony Melgar, a 37-year-old white man, was killed Monday, July 24, in the 12200 block of Horley Avenue in Downey, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records. 

At about 5:30 p.m., Downey police responded to call from a woman who found her boyfriend dead in her backyard, according to a news release. Within minutes, officers arrived at a residential property with a front and back house. In the backyard between the houses,  Melgar was found with multiple stab and gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at 5:49 p.m., according to coroner’s records. 

In a subsequent investigation, detectives discovered that the girlfriend’s sister lived in the back house with her own boyfriend, the release said. Robert Joseph Benitez Jr., 31. Based on evidence at the scene, police said they believe Benitez was responsible for the killing. 

Benitez was arrested later that day in Whittier outside his girlfriend’s parent’s home, according to police. On July 26, he pleaded not guilty to the killing. He is scheduled to return to court Aug. 16. 

Anyone with information can call Downey Police Detective Ron Gee at (562) 904-2331. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

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