Robert Lee Santos, a 69-year-old man of Filipino and Chinese descent, died on Sunday, April 30, after he was stabbed in the 3700 block of East 53rd Street in Maywood, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.
Santos had brought his two school-aged children to visit with their mother, his ex-girlfriend Lilian Avila, at her home in Maywood about 6 p.m., said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Joe Mendoza.
The two started talking on the porch of the home where Avila lived with other family members, and they got into an argument, Mendoza said. At some point, Avila pulled out a small knife and stabbed Santos at least once in the torso, Mendoza said.
Members of Avila’s family drove Santos to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:43 p.m., according to coroner’s records.
Avila, a 35-year-old Latina, was arrested on suspicion of murder; she is being held in lieu of $2 million bail, according to jail records.
On May 3, Avila was charged with murder and pleaded not guilty. Her next court hearing is scheduled for May 22 at the Norwalk Courthouse, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court records.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.
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For the Record
May 16, 1:45 p.m: An earlier version of this report listed Santos' ethnicity as Latino. Family members say he is of Filipino and Chinese descent.
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